1. Critics of the New Deal

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

3. Women: African-Americans: Social Security Act
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.

4. High taxes were aimed at the rich
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 self-interest.
High taxes were aimed at the rich
Social Security penalized hard working successful people
ND Programs were the 1st 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

5. 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

6. Father Charles Coughlin (Radio Priest)
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)