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The New Deal in Oklahoma

The New Deal in Oklahoma. Spring 2013. The New Deal In General…. Main Goals of FDR’s New Deal: Relief – for those suffering the effects of the Great Depression. Recovery- of the depressed economy. Reforms – that would help prevent serious economic crisis in the future. .

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The New Deal in Oklahoma

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  1. The New Deal in Oklahoma Spring 2013

  2. The New Deal In General… • Main Goals of FDR’s New Deal: • Relief – for those suffering the effects of the Great Depression. • Recovery- of the depressed economy. • Reforms – that would help prevent serious economic crisis in the future.

  3. The New Deal In Oklahoma • With the recent happenings of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, Americans, Oklahomans in general- are a little bitter with the governments’ reaction. • Along comes a very democratic FDR with a plan called the New Deal. • Oklahoma becomes a one-party state  Democratic.

  4. The New Deal In Oklahoma • 1930 – Oklahomans elect William Henry David Murray (a.k.a. “Alfalfa Bill”) (D) • Prior to now- he served as the President of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention. • Campaign Strategy: Save Taxpayers money… How? • Other things he ‘did’: • Ordered that every producing oil well in Oklahoma (all 3,106) be shut down, to put an end to overproduction. • Resisted every New Deal program that came along.

  5. The New Deal In Oklahoma • William Henry David Murray (a.k.a. “Alfalfa Bill”) (D) • President in 1932? • Going against the grain with FDR / New Deal, didn’t exactly work in his favor – ultimately hurt Oklahoma in general as well. • FDR’s thoughts on him: “as crazy as a bedbug”.

  6. The INDIAN NEW DEAL • Amerindians also rejected the FDR plan. • Bureau of Indian Affairs, John Coller, establishes the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA). • Main Goal: Allotment process – failed • The plan – what was considered individually held allotments were returned to tribal control.

  7. The INDIAN NEW DEAL • Pass Rate: Congress – Check. Oklahoma – (crickets) • Coller came to Oklahoma three times: • Anadarko – fail • Miami – fail • Muskogee – fail • IRA decides to exempt Oklahoma from being covered by it.

  8. The INDIAN NEW DEAL • What: Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act • When: 1936 • Where: Oklahoma • Significance: • It extended many of the provisions from the IRA plan. • ~90,000 / 103,000 eligible to be covered by the OIWA rejected it.

  9. The ‘Little’ New Deal • ASAP, Oklahoma replaces Alfalfa Bill – withE.W. Marland (D) – Pro-FDR’s New Deal. • Campaign: “Bring the New Deal to Oklahoma” • First plan of action: The “Little New Deal” • Democratic Oklahoma Legislature – High Resistance. • Among many reasons- the cost - $500 Million when it was a nearly bankrupt state. • Marland finishes term; Returns back to Ponca City.

  10. The ‘Little’ New Deal • Something coming from Washington? We’re listening… • Works Progress Administration (WPA) • Would put thousands of unemployed Oklahomans to work on public projects. (i.e. post offices / armories) • Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) • Basically the same concept of the WPA, however, these were more focused on conservation-related projects. • Both required/allowed the workers to send a portion of their earnings back to their families for relief.

  11. What happens next? • Like mentioned before, Marland finished out his term. Replacement? • Leon C. ‘Red’ Phillips – (D) – Elected 1938. • Another Anti-New Dealer… This should be successful. • What he accomplished: • Ordered the National Guard to block the federal gov’t’s construction of dams and bridges (i.e. Lake Texoma and Grand Lake). • Pushed through the balanced budget amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution.

  12. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? • Robert S. ‘Bob’ Kerr (D) – Ada • 1940 – filled Oklahoma’s seat on the DNC. • 1942 – Became the next governor of Oklahoma. • Three goals in life: A family, $ 1 Million, The Governor’s Mansion. – Now, all are accomplished. • Main goal while governor: to bring peace between the Oklahoma Democrats and Washington.

  13. WWII • Kerr served as the governor during WWII. • During this time, the federal government is spending billions to raise, train, and arm troops for combat. • Kerr wants to get as much money as possible for Oklahoma. • Turns to schmoozing the White House, Congress, and the Pentagon. • Result: Oklahoma is able to wash away a lot of the devastation from the Great Depression.

  14. WWII • Before long, a major increase in military presence in Oklahoma. • 28 army installations at Ft. Sill (and elsewhere). • 13 naval bases (largest in Norman) • As well as several air force bases. • Even brought in British and Canadian pilots to Ponca City. • Also… Prisoner Camps in Tonkawa, Chickasha, Alva, Tipton, and Okmulgee.

  15. Oklahoma: A Not-so-Brand New State • At this point, we’ve now survived: • Two World Wars • The Oil Boom… and Bust. • The Great Depression and Dust Bowl • As well as other ups-and-downs along the way.

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