The Great Depression New Deal Criticism

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of Deficit Spending?

When a government makes a profit

When a government saves more money than it spends

When a government pays out more money than it takes in through taxation and other revenues (correct)

When a government has a balanced budget

Who preached the 'Share Our Wealth' programs?

Huey Long

What was the purpose of Francis Townsend's Old Age Revolving Pension Plan?

To give every retiree over age 60 $200 per month

What was Father Charles Coughlin's criticism of FDR's New Deal?

He claimed it did not go far enough in bringing relief to the American people Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Republican candidate running against Franklin Roosevelt in the 1936 election?

Alfred M. Landon Signup and view all the answers

What was the Liberty League's main complaint about the New Deal?

It interfered with businesses and people's lives Signup and view all the answers

What was Court Packing?

Attempt by Roosevelt to appoint additional justices to the Supreme Court Signup and view all the answers

Critics believed the New Deal was making the government too powerful.

True Signup and view all the answers

Match the following New Deal laws with their status.

Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) = Declared unconstitutional Securities and Exchange Commission = Declared constitutional Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Deficit Spending

Government spends more than it earns through taxation, leading to increased debt.

Huey Long

Senator from Louisiana advocating for "Share Our Wealth" programs, proposing a 100% tax on incomes over $1 million.
Aimed to distribute wealth by giving every American family a comfortable income.
Popular for improving public services in Louisiana, but his administration faced accusations of corruption and dictatorship.

Francis Townsend

Proposed the Old Age Revolving Pension Plan, advocating for $200 monthly payments to retirees over 60 funded by a 2% federal sales tax.
Aimed to support retired workers and stimulate economic spending.
His ideas contributed to the development of the Social Security system.

Father Charles Coughlin

Michigan Catholic priest whose radio program gained massive popularity for critiquing FDR and the New Deal.
Initially focused on monetary reform, later became known for promoting anti-Semitic views and fascist rhetoric.
Founded the National Union for Social Justice, advocating for broader social reforms.

Alfred M. Landon

Governor of Kansas and the Republican candidate for the 1936 presidential election, accepted some New Deal reforms but rejected the Social Security Act.
His campaign failed largely due to his inability to connect with the "forgotten man" demographic and address their concerns.

Liberty League

Coalition of wealthy Republicans and conservative Democrats opposing the New Deal, labeling it as "reckless spending" and "socialist" reforms.
Criticized the New Deal for interfering with business operations and individual liberties, prompting a reactive campaign from Roosevelt.

Court Packing

Roosevelt's proposal to add one Supreme Court justice for each current justice over 70, aimed at altering the Court's ideological balance to protect New Deal legislation.
The proposal faced significant opposition in Congress, leading to accusations of undermining judicial independence.

Criticism of the New Deal

Critics claimed the New Deal concentrated too much power in the federal government, posing risks to American democracy and constitutional principles.

New Deal Laws Declared Unconstitutional

Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) and provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission were invalidated, highlighting challenges faced by New Deal legislation.

Description

Test your knowledge on the criticisms of the New Deal during the Great Depression. This quiz includes key terms such as deficit spending and notable figures like Huey Long. Each term is defined to help you understand the historical context.