The twentieth century (1929) Stock Market crash set in motion a chain of events that would plunge the United States into a deep depression. The Depression of the 1930 's called for the end of an era of economic prosperity during the 1920 's. President Herbert Hoover was the unfortunate to preside over this economic downfall. Hoover believed the cause of this depression was international, and he therefore believed that restoring the gold standard would ultimately drag the US out of depression by restoring international trade. Hoover initiated many domestic works programs aimed at creating new jobs, but it seemed to have had no effect as the unemployment rate continued to rise. The Democrats chose Franklin D. Roosevelt as their candidate for
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After Roosevelt was reelected in 1936, he cut government spending because he believed that the economy was recovering. This cut in spending sent the economy into a recession. As shown on the graph illustrating unemployment, there was a sharp increase in the unemployment rate during this recession. Roosevelt 's popularity had already taken a strong hit with his "court-packing scheme" aimed at creating a favorable Supreme Court to his New Deal legislature (Doc. J). The New Deal had decreased unemployment, but to many it did not do enough. In an editorial in "The Roosevelt Record" the author chastises the administration for not offering more jobs for African Americans. He states that, "To declare that the Roosevelt administration has tried to include the Negro in nearly every phase of its program for the people of the nation is not to ignore the instances where government policies have harmed the race " Roosevelt also came under attack from liberal Democrats such as Huey Long who advocated a socialist program under the title of "Share Our Wealth". These liberal Democrats forced Roosevelt to push his rhetoric further towards the left. Roosevelt 's New Deal legislature succeeded in some aspects, but leaves one to wonder whether it was worth the enormous cost or the strong doctrinal shift in the role of government.
After Roosevelt was reelected in 1936, he cut government spending because he believed that the economy was recovering. This cut in spending sent the economy into a recession. As shown on the graph illustrating unemployment, there was a sharp increase in the unemployment rate during this recession. Roosevelt 's popularity had already taken a strong hit with his "court-packing scheme" aimed at creating a favorable Supreme Court to his New Deal legislature (Doc. J). The New Deal had decreased unemployment, but to many it did not do enough. In an editorial in "The Roosevelt Record" the author chastises the administration for not offering more jobs for African Americans. He states that, "To declare that the Roosevelt administration has tried to include the Negro in nearly every phase of its program for the people of the nation is not to ignore the instances where government policies have harmed the race " Roosevelt also came under attack from liberal Democrats such as Huey Long who advocated a socialist program under the title of "Share Our Wealth". These liberal Democrats forced Roosevelt to push his rhetoric further towards the left. Roosevelt 's New Deal legislature succeeded in some aspects, but leaves one to wonder whether it was worth the enormous cost or the strong doctrinal shift in the role of government.