second new deal Flashcards
(21 cards)
why was there a second new deal?4
FIRST: In 1933 FDR had promised three R/s but prioritised relief and recovery with mixed results
By 1934 crisis had stabilised to the point where he could start thinking about his promise to carry out permanent reform with regards to employment,labour relations and rural poverty
Permanent reform to prevent another Great Depression
SECOND:
FDR under pressure from own party to do more - mid terms in 1934 and returned a new Democrat senators and representatives to Washington who were more radical and were calling for further legislation
THIRD:
FDR had to promise voters particularly as demagogic rivals on the left( Coughlin and Long )and old age campaigner Townsend were threatening to seize the political initiative from him promoting FDR to respond
Four:
Even though long assassinated in 1935 his successor Gerad K Smith planned to form a coalition against FDR even though it could not hope to win it might fragment the democrat voters enough to allow the Republicans to win
Who was Huey P Long and significance?
Most dangerous of three opposition
Created ‘share our wealth scheme’ which was proving attractive to voters despite its impracticality
Favoured nationalising the banks
Significance: even though not as much support as FDR was enough to fragment the left and allow for republicans to win
How many supporters did Coughlin have have?
radio - weekly audience of 30 million(at peak
What did Father Charles Coughlin do in 1934 and significance?
Founded his National Union for Social justice
Significance:growing in membership
Who was Dr Town-shed and significance?
made Proposal for a ‘revolving pension scheme’ to pay over-60s a pension of $200 a moth provided the spent it all within the month - funded by 2% sales tax
Significance: FDR had to respond because it was proving popular not just with those who were both poor and elderly but also with those who were poor and would be elderly in the future
What and when was FDR response pension proposal?
1935 - social security Act (effectively hijacked Townshend’s policy
When was Long assassinated ?
September 1935
Who replaced Long and what did they do?
Gerard K Smith - planned to form a coalition against FDR with Cough lin and Townshend
However … it could not hope to win election off 1936 outright but might fragment enough democrat voters from FDR to allow republicans to win
What combated this coalition?
The Works progress Administration - provided short-term work relief for the unemployed and the Soil Conservation Act helped protect farmers - reduced incentives to vote for the coalition
What was the impact of the Social Security Act?
Provided life-saving relief for millions of citizens
It was a watershed because it provided old age pension for the first time ever
Contributed to FDR’s victory in 1936
Result of 1936 election?
Landslide victory for FDR
Won over 60% of the popular vote and carried every state except Maine and Vermont
Opposition (Landon) did not even win own state which he governed Kansas
When and what was the impact of the National Labour Relations Act?
1935
Allowed workers to form trade unions and obligated management to bargain with them collectively, so that they could act collectively and legally to improve pay and working conditions
Significance of National Labour Relations ACT? + evidence
Workers were in favour and union membership rose rapidly
By 1940 9 million union members
Productivity rose and conditions improved
Opposition to the National Labour Act?
Businessmen were almost universally opposed to act and challenged it in court
What is the National Labour Relations Act usually known as?
Wagner Act
When and what did the Banking Act do?
1935
Followed FDR attempt to solve the banking crisis in 1933
Act provided greater security fro banks and therefore depositors by insuring deposits up to five thousand dollars
What preceded the Banking Act of 1935 to solve the banking crisis and when?
1933 Banking Act had created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - ensured banks’ deposits of to two thousand five hundred dollars
How did New deal improve rural regions?
Tennessee valley authority improved the quality of life for all races within the seven southern states that it touched by providing rural electrification and telephone lines (basic to attract investment)
Improved flood control and irrigation and also draining malarial swamps
Rural poor benefited from the AAA and the soil Conservation Act and they did not hold it against FDR that the AAA had been declared unconstitutional
Rural areas before new deal?
Economically depressed region which lagged behind the rest fo country in infrastructure
Problems Before New deal took office simple?
How far do you agree that the New deal made life better for Americans (agree)?
How far do you agree that the New deal made life better for Americans (disagree)?
