Opposition to the New Deal

Republicans claimed that Roosevelt behaved like a dictator and made the government too powerful. He was compared to Hitler and Stalin. They thought the TVA and NRA were like communist economic planning of the Soviet Union, and the Social Security Act would make people dependent on the government. They objected to the cost and how the WPA created unnecessary jobs.

They did not like government interference. They were angry about Roosevelt's support of trade unions and raising wages. They did not want to pay for social security contributions for their workers. They objected to the TVA, saying it competed unfairly with private businesses. Businesses criticised NRA codes which were difficult to administer. In 1934 a group of business leaders formed a Liberty League to oppose the New Deal.

They had to pay higher taxes for the work of the New Deal agencies. Roosevelt's policies had taken some of their power.

Had been elected Governor of Louisiana in 1928, by promising to increase taxes for rich and use money to build roads, hospitals and schools. He did this but used bribery and corruption to run the state. At first he supported New Deal but by 1934 he said it didn't do enough to hep the poor. He proposed a 'Share Our Wealth' scheme, taking money from the rich and sharing it out. He also promised a minimum wage, houses for war veterans, pensions and free education. He was assassinated by a doctor in 1935.

Proposed everyone over 60 should get pension as long as they gave up their jobs and spent the money during the month. This would provide jobs for the young. 7000 'Townsend clubs' set up across USA.

Broadcast ideas on radio on Sunday evenings to 40 million Americans. At first praised New Deal but then said it didn't do enough for poor. Set up National Union for social justice attracting millions of members, but his ideas were confused and it had largely faded away by 1940.