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Explore the criticism and reformulation of the Second New Deal, including its impact on various sectors and the response from critics. Discover the key programs and acts that were implemented, such as the Social Security Act, National Labor Relations Board, Soil Conservation Act, and more. Understand the challenges faced by tenant farmers and the support they received from organizations like the Southern Tenants Farmers Union. Learn about influential figures like Frances Townsend, Charles Coughlin, and Huey Long, who played a role in the national dialogue surrounding the New Deal.
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Criticism & ReformulationThe Second New DealSection 2Ms. Garratt
Works Progress Admin. • Bldg projects included construction of hospitals, schools, airports, etc • Employed teachers, artists, actors • Painters designed murals • San Antonio beautification project stimulated the economy • Provided jobs to 8million in 5 years
Social Security Act • In 1935 the gov accepted direct responsibility for meeting the needs of its citizens • Pension plan for elderly orphans • Survivor benefits • Benefits for those injured on the job • Monthly payments ranged from $12-85 • Millions, however, did not qualify particularly minority groups
National Labor Relations Board • Aka the Wagner Act • Established after Supreme Ct ruled that the NIRA was unconstitutional • Workers lost the right to unionize and bargain collectively • The Wagner Act restored those workers’ rights • Unions increased during the ’30s
Soil Conservation Act 1936 • Supreme Court also struck down the AAA • So FDR proposed the Soil Conservation Act • Under this law the subsidy paid to farmers not to plant crops would come from the Treasury not from a processing tax
Rural Electrification Act 1935 • Lent money to farmers who organized to build power plants. • Utility companies had refused to extend service to rural areas because it wasn’t cost-effective • Before the REA fewer than 1 in 10 had electricity – by 1940 90% had electricity
Public Utility Holding CompanyAct • Reduced holding company control of utility companies • Helped eliminate corruption and inefficiency • Reduced consumer costs • Enraged business owners who felt gov had too much control over business
Revenue Act of 1935 • FDR proposed raising taxes on wealthy corporations and individuals • Angered business leaders but convinced millions of Americans that FDR was on their side.
Protests of Tenant Farmers • Tenant farmers were negatively impacted by the AAA • Landowners didn’t share the gov subsidy so tenant farmers lost their jobs & became homeless • Tenant farmers formed the interracial Southern Tenants Farmers Union (STFU) • Met with strong opposition due to interracial component
Southern Tenants Farmers Union • They were unfairly hit hard by AAA • Subsidies given to landowners were not shared with them • They were usually kicked off land as part of the policy to reduce agric output • Promoted nonviolence and was racially integrated group which generated opposition • Harrassed by law enforcement & landowners • Only rec’d verbal support from FDR
Criticism • Critics included liberals and conservatives • Liberals didn’t think the two New Deals when far enough. • Conservatives felt gov assumed too much power regulating business – feared that gov was becoming socialist
Frances Townsend • Wanted gov to give each person over 60 $200 a month on condition they spend it all in 30 days. • This would aid the elderly and stimulate the economy with its trickle-down-effect. • Would stimulate demand for goods which would decrease unemployment • Had 5 million supporters • His plan was defeated in Congress in 1935
Charles Coughlin • Demogogue who gained power by appealing to people’s prejudices & fears • Wanted nationalization of banks to be run like postal service • Called FDR “liar” and “great betrayer” because FDR did not agree with him • Had weekly radio show w/ 30 m listeners • Was anti-semitic and blamed Jews for the Depression • In 1942 Church pulled the plug on his show
Huey Long • Won immediate popularity when as Louisiana governor he raised taxes to fund schools, hospitals for the poor & build roads & bridges in impoverished areas • As US senator he abolished LA local gov and ran it from DC, putting himself in control • Launched Share Our Wealth campaign which would confiscate all income over $5m and redistribute it so that every family had $5,000 a year
1936 Reelection • Reelection was geared toward middle & lower classes • His opponent, Alfred Landon, supported New Deal legis but said he would run it more efficiently • FDR won by a landslide with 60% of all voters. • Seen as mandate for his New Deal programs
Court-packing Bill 1937 • The Supreme Court had declared some New Deal programs unconstitutional • In order to have a more sympathetic Sup Ct FDR proposed a bill to add 6 more judges to the Court. • Stated he was just trying to ease the Court’s workload. • This bill provoked a lot of criticism from both parties & was seen as an attempt to interfere with the judicial process & the separation of powers.
Fair Labor Standards Act 1938 • By 1937-38 FDR’s political momentum was slowing down • However, this act regulated wages & working hours • FDR also had to focus more time on events in Europe