Opposition to the New Deal
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the reasons for and impact of opposition to the New Deal.
Key learning points
- Some Republicans continued to support a laissez-faire approach.
- Some businesses resented increased government interference under the New Deal.
- Radicals argued that the New Deal did not do enough to help the American people.
- Roosevelt's New Deal won widespread support as part of his landslide election victory in 1936.
- The Supreme Court declared some parts of the New Deal to be unconstitutional.
Keywords
Laissez-faire - laissez-faire beliefs suggest that the government should not interfere with the economy
Radical - a radical is someone who believes there should be major social and political change
Unconstitutional - something may be declared unconstitutional if it is not allowed under the laws of a political system
Common misconception
The only reason people opposed the New Deal was because it increased costs for the rich and wealthy.
Radical opposition to the New Deal was based on the idea that it did not do enough to help the poor. Opposition from the Supreme Court was based on judgements that some aspects of the New Deal were unconstitutional.
Teacher tip
Get pupils to study the 1933 cartoon 'priming the pump'. Ask students (1) to recall what Roosevelt's phrase 'priming the pump' meant; (2) what message the cartoon's author was trying to convey about the New Deal.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. The government is the national government of the USA.
Q2.What was the main aim of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)?
Q3.Write the missing word. of alcohol in the USA ended in 1933.
Q4.What did the 1933 Economy Act do?
Q5.How did American unemployment change between 1933 and 1939?
Q6.Why were many African American women unable to claim social security?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each keyword with its correct definition.
belief that the government should not interfere with the economy
someone who believes there should be major social and political change
something which is not allowed under the laws of a political system
Q2.What type of opponent to the New Deal was Charles Coughlin?
Q3.What type of opponents to the New Deal were most leading members of the American Liberty League?
Q4.How many Alphabet laws had been outlawed by 1936?
Q5.Which inference is most valid based on the outcome of the 1936 presidential election?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Opposition to the New Deal, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Opposition to the New Deal, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the America 1920–1973, Opportunity and inequality unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.