Describe the differences in the arguments of right-leaning New Deal critics with those critics from the political left. In your Post, make sure to make evaluations that can either be refuted or defended.

11/24/2015

Gimelyn Yray (Period 8)

4/24/2016 11:05:46 pm

Gimelyn Yray
Mr. Tuttle
APUSH 2
25 November 2016
The New Deal: The Political Left
As a result of the Great Depression, the New Deal was proposed by President Roosevelt. Within the 1930s, the New Deal had created a variety of broad outlines of the political world. Withal, despite its purpose to aid in the economy, it did not end the Great Depression. Those on the political left had argued that the New Deal was not liberal enough, thus it should focus on aiding the American people. Those on the political right believed the New Deal was unnecessary and too socialist. In benefitting the United States, the political left had deemed the most progressive regarding their interpretation of what the New Deal lacked or obtained too much of.
Before the New Deal had been initiated, the government had not been heavily involved with the economy; conservatives were appreciative of this. On the left, it was important to flee from this behavior and become directly involved. The poor were in need of assistance. This is in reference to Huey Long’s “Share the Wealth” proposal, and Francis Townsend’s proposal to give money to those retired. Withal, those from the right disagreed, thus Roosevelt’s policies were simultaneously attacked from both sides.
Following the new policies, the first one hundred days led to relief, recovery, and reform. The Bank Holiday serves as an example as a variety of banks was immediately closed. This resulted in the Civilian Conservation Corp; people worked to earn thirty dollars a month or one dollar per day. However, in the direct involvement towards those of poor status, the NRA had been proposed. Being the National Industrial Recovery Act, a minimum wage of thirty and forty cents were produced per hour by an employee. The economy needed to progress, and the unemployment rate had to be resolved. The NRA soon became one the many possible solutions, but the act did not progress as quickly towards efforts in raising prices.
The New Deal was a vast network of public works that enveloped the country, but it concentrated on the South and the West. The political left desired all of America to receive aid, thus in 1928, Huey Long emphasized the obligation to aid those in need of financial support. As a result, Roosevelt concerned himself with the progression to raise prices. In dealing to find a solution, a Second New Deal had been launched in response to the growing political pressures to the economic crisis. Industrial Unionism arose in regards to the American Federation of Labor. Soon after, the program under the Social Security Act allowed public support in federal assistance; this included unemployment insurance.
Although the economy crisis gradually improved, it was not until the government’s temporary involvement that led the American people in the right direction. The political left was obligated to direct involvement, thus the New Deal’s programs were created as resources for American citizens. With the involvement of a community, the economy would be able to gradually progress, and it would be up to the American people to choose the options laid out for them. Although the political left desired a liberal economy, it had been temporarily achieved. Programs regarding the AAA, SSA, NIRA, and HOLC were beneficial to those financially unprivileged. Thus, in contrast to the political right, it was best for the economy to be directly influenced by the government than being left conservative.

Mr Tuttle

4/25/2016 06:16:32 am

Good Post, Gimelyn-

Joshua Tolentino

4/28/2016 12:38:00 am

Joshua Tolentino
Mr. Tuttle
AP US History II Period 8
25 April 2016
New Deal Critics
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s policy known as the New Deal was opposed by politicians from both the left and the right. The New Deal was meant to alleviate the damage of the Great Depression. Relief, recovery, and reform were all a part of the New Deal. Critics from the left believed that the New Deal was not open-minded enough. Critics from the right believed that the New Deal was too similar to socialism and communism. Critics such as Huey Long, Francis E. Townsend, and Al Smith thought that Roosevelt’s policies were either too radical and un-American or not radical enough to make a change.
Huey Long was a Democrat from Louisiana. He gained support by using his lively personality and his political accomplishments. Initially, Long supported Roosevelt, but after six months, he developed his own plan known as the Share-Our-Wealth Plan. He wanted to redistribute the wealth of the people. The rich would lose their excess money to the poor. People were guaranteed a certain standard of living. Because he was a politician from the left, he believed that Roosevelt’s plan was not effective enough. Long’s goals were similar to communism.
Francis E. Townsend was a doctor who shared views with politicians on the left. He wanted people who were of age sixty and up to retire. This would allow the younger generation to have jobs available to them. The retired people would receive pensions of $200 a month that must be spent. Townsend wanted Roosevelt to do even more than what the New Deal already offered. The economy would improve from the additional circulation of money.
Al Smith was a Democrat who was against the New Deal. Despite being a Democrat, he shared the same reason for opposition with the Republicans. He was a member of the American Liberty League which was a political organization that consisted of people who were against the New Deal. He believed that the New Deal was unconstitutional. Smith was also worried that the New Deal would cause tensions within the social classes. For Smith, the New Deal was wrong, and it was proposed by one of his rivals.
Huey Long, Francis E. Townsend, and Al Smith were all critics of the New Deal regardless of their political stances. Huey Long wanted Roosevelt to help the poor with more financial aid from the New Deal. Townsend wanted Roosevelt to give money to people of ages and sixty and up to help the economy. Smith viewed the New Deal as a policy that was against the constitution. For left leaning politicians, the New Deal was a missed opportunity to help those in need. For right leaning politicians, the New Deal was un-American and problem causing. The New Deal did not end the Great Depression.

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