“We propose: 1. That every family in America should have a homestead, a home, and the comforts of life, including such things as a radio and an automobile... 2. That no person’s wealth should exceed a few million dollars... 3. That we should limit the hours of work to such an extent that all people may have employment... 4. That we should provide an old-age pension of $30 per month to every person over the age of sixty.”
— Senator Huey P. Long, “Share Our Wealth” radio address, 1934
Which of the following developments in the 1930s was most directly a response to the political pressures represented by proposals like the one in the excerpt?
- The passage of the Social Security Act and other Second New Deal legislation to address radical criticisms.Answer
- BThe immediate and complete resolution of the Great Depression through federal wealth redistribution.
- CThe establishment of federal health insurance programs, specifically Medicare and Medicaid, for the elderly and impoverished.
- DThe drafting of the Populist Party's Omaha Platform to advocate for the silver standard and government ownership of railroads.
Answer
The passage of the Social Security Act and other Second New Deal legislation to address radical criticisms.
The correct answer is correct because Huey Long's 'Share Our Wealth' campaign, alongside other popular challenges like Dr. Francis Townsend's old-age pension plan, created substantial pressure on the Roosevelt administration. In response, Roosevelt introduced the Second New Deal in 1935, which included major reforms like the Social Security Act to provide safety nets for the elderly and unemployed, effectively co-opting the appeal of his critics.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The political challenges to the New Deal from both the left and right, and how those challenges shaped later reform legislation.
Estimated Time:1m 30s