Conservative Democrats Were The Part Of The Party Who Supported The New Deal And Franklin Roosevelt.True False

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The Forgotten Faction: Conservative Democrats and the New Deal

The New Deal, a series of programs and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression, is often associated with the Democratic Party. However, the party's support for the New Deal was not uniform, and a significant faction of conservative Democrats played a crucial role in shaping the party's stance on the issue. In this article, we will explore the history of conservative Democrats and their relationship with the New Deal.

The Democratic Party has its roots in the 18th century, and over time, it has evolved into a diverse and complex organization. During the Great Depression, the party was divided into two main factions: liberal Democrats, who supported the New Deal, and conservative Democrats, who were skeptical of the program's effectiveness. Conservative Democrats were primarily composed of Southern Democrats, who had traditionally been opposed to federal intervention in state affairs.

The New Deal and Conservative Democrats

The New Deal, launched in 1933, was a comprehensive program aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Great Depression. The program included a range of initiatives, such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). While liberal Democrats enthusiastically supported the New Deal, conservative Democrats were more cautious in their approach.

Support for the New Deal

Despite their initial reservations, many conservative Democrats eventually came to support the New Deal. They recognized the program's potential to alleviate suffering and stimulate economic growth. In fact, some conservative Democrats, such as Senator Carter Glass of Virginia, played a key role in shaping the New Deal's policies. Glass, a former Secretary of the Treasury, was instrumental in drafting the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 and the Glass-Steagall Act of 1932, which separated commercial and investment banking.

Opposition to the New Deal

However, not all conservative Democrats supported the New Deal. Many were concerned about the program's potential to erode states' rights and increase federal power. They feared that the New Deal would lead to a concentration of power in Washington and undermine the principles of federalism. Senator Huey Long of Louisiana, a prominent conservative Democrat, was a vocal critic of the New Deal. Long believed that the program was too focused on urban areas and neglected the needs of rural communities.

The Role of Franklin Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, played a crucial role in shaping the Democratic Party's stance on the New Deal. Roosevelt was a master politician who skillfully navigated the party's factions to achieve his goals. He recognized the importance of conservative Democrats in the party and made a concerted effort to win their support. Roosevelt's leadership style and ability to build coalitions helped to bring conservative Democrats on board with the New Deal.

In conclusion, conservative Democrats played a significant role in shaping the Democratic Party's stance on the New Deal. While some conservative Democrats supported the program, others opposed it due to concerns about states' rights and federal power. The New Deal's success was largely due to Roosevelt's ability to build coalitions and win the support of conservative Democrats. The legacy of conservative Democrats and their relationship with the New Deal serves as a reminder of the complex and often contentious nature of American politics.

  • 1933: Franklin D. Roosevelt launches the New Deal, a comprehensive program aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Great Depression.
  • 1933: Conservative Democrats, led by Senator Carter Glass, begin to support the New Deal.
  • 1934: Senator Huey Long of Louisiana becomes a vocal critic of the New Deal, citing concerns about states' rights and federal power.
  • 1935: The Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) are established as part of the New Deal.
  • 1936: The Democratic Party nominates Franklin D. Roosevelt for a second term, with the support of conservative Democrats.
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt: The 32nd President of the United States, who launched the New Deal and skillfully navigated the Democratic Party's factions to achieve his goals.
  • Carter Glass: A conservative Democrat and former Secretary of the Treasury, who played a key role in shaping the New Deal's policies.
  • Huey Long: A conservative Democrat and Senator from Louisiana, who opposed the New Deal due to concerns about states' rights and federal power.
  • "The New Deal" by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
  • "The Rise of the New Deal" by William E. Leuchtenburg
  • "The Conservative Democrats" by James T. Patterson
  • "Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Rhetorical Biography" by Robert E. Burke
    Q&A: Conservative Democrats and the New Deal

In our previous article, we explored the history of conservative Democrats and their relationship with the New Deal. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about conservative Democrats and the New Deal.

Q: What was the New Deal?

A: The New Deal was a comprehensive program launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 to alleviate the suffering of the Great Depression. The program included a range of initiatives, such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA).

Q: Who were the conservative Democrats?

A: Conservative Democrats were a faction of the Democratic Party that opposed the New Deal due to concerns about states' rights and federal power. They were primarily composed of Southern Democrats who had traditionally been opposed to federal intervention in state affairs.

Q: What was the role of Senator Carter Glass in the New Deal?

A: Senator Carter Glass was a conservative Democrat who played a key role in shaping the New Deal's policies. He was instrumental in drafting the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 and the Glass-Steagall Act of 1932, which separated commercial and investment banking.

Q: Why did Senator Huey Long oppose the New Deal?

A: Senator Huey Long opposed the New Deal due to concerns about states' rights and federal power. He believed that the program was too focused on urban areas and neglected the needs of rural communities.

Q: What was the significance of the 1936 Democratic National Convention?

A: The 1936 Democratic National Convention was significant because it marked a turning point in the party's stance on the New Deal. The convention nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt for a second term, with the support of conservative Democrats.

Q: How did the New Deal affect the Democratic Party?

A: The New Deal had a profound impact on the Democratic Party. It helped to shift the party's focus from states' rights to federal power and paved the way for the party's future growth and success.

Q: What is the legacy of conservative Democrats and the New Deal?

A: The legacy of conservative Democrats and the New Deal serves as a reminder of the complex and often contentious nature of American politics. It highlights the importance of building coalitions and navigating the party's factions to achieve success.

Q: What can we learn from the history of conservative Democrats and the New Deal?

A: We can learn several lessons from the history of conservative Democrats and the New Deal. First, the importance of building coalitions and navigating the party's factions cannot be overstated. Second, the New Deal's success was largely due to Roosevelt's ability to win the support of conservative Democrats. Finally, the legacy of conservative Democrats and the New Deal serves as a reminder of the complex and often contentious nature of American politics.

  • 1933: Franklin D. Roosevelt launches the New Deal, a comprehensive program aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Great Depression.
  • 1933: Conservative Democrats, led by Senator Carter Glass, begin to support the New Deal.
  • 1934: Senator Huey Long of Louisiana becomes a vocal critic of the New Deal, citing concerns about states' rights and federal power.
  • 1935: The Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) are established as part of the New Deal.
  • 1936: The Democratic Party nominates Franklin D. Roosevelt for a second term, with the support of conservative Democrats.
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt: The 32nd President of the United States, who launched the New Deal and skillfully navigated the Democratic Party's factions to achieve his goals.
  • Carter Glass: A conservative Democrat and former Secretary of the Treasury, who played a key role in shaping the New Deal's policies.
  • Huey Long: A conservative Democrat and Senator from Louisiana, who opposed the New Deal due to concerns about states' rights and federal power.
  • "The New Deal" by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
  • "The Rise of the New Deal" by William E. Leuchtenburg
  • "The Conservative Democrats" by James T. Patterson
  • "Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Rhetorical Biography" by Robert E. Burke