CRITICS OF THE NEW DEAL Main Idea A

CRITICS OF THE NEW DEAL

Main Idea A variety of critics pointed out the shortcomings of the New Deal, as well as its potential for restricting individual freedom.

• Women: • the NRA codes permitted lower wages for women’s work. • In relief jobs men & boys were given preference • No New Deal laws protected domestic service • African-Americans: • New Deal reinforced social segregation • No person of color received a job at a professional level • Paid less than white counterparts, did not work on dam or electrical projects • Social Security Act • Excluded nearly 2/3 of working African-Americans who were farmers or domestic workers.

• Conservatives: those who opposed change because they wanted to protect what they believed to be good. They based their criticism of the New Deal largely on selfinterest. • High taxes were aimed at the rich • Social Security penalized hard working successful people • ND Programs were the 1 st step in a “militaristic regimented society” • Soon people would be wearing metal dog tags with their social security numbers! • ND Programs limited individual freedom • Communist ideas • TVA was too socialistic

• Liberals: those who believed the New Deal wasn’t doing enough to promote recovery. They criticized it with the idea of building a political constituency. • Upton Sinclair • “End Poverty in California” new economic system in which the state would take over factories and farms • Robert Lafollette • Progressives the New Deal did not do enough to redistribute incomes

• Demagogues: those who based their criticism on the prejudice and emotions of the people. They also tried to create popular support for their agenda with an eye toward political power. • Huey Long • “Share our Wealth Plan” • Guarantee grants of $5, 000 to each American family funded by high taxes on the wealthy • Father Charles Coughlin (Radio Priest)