The Businessmen's Crusade Against the New Deal: A Critical Analysis

The New Deal was a series of economic programs enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s to combat the Great Depression. The New Deal had a significant impact on the American economy and society, but it also faced strong opposition from many businessmen.

In his book The Businessmen's Crusade Against the New Deal, historian Kim Phillips-Fein argues that businessmen were motivated by a variety of factors in their opposition to the New Deal. These factors included fear of government intervention in the economy, a belief that the New Deal was unfair to business, and a desire to protect their own wealth and privilege.

Phillips-Fein's book is a valuable contribution to the literature on the New Deal. It provides a fresh perspective on the role that business played in the downfall of the New Deal and offers a nuanced understanding of the motivations of businessmen during this period.

Invisible Hands: The Businessmen's Crusade Against the New Deal

by Kim Phillips-Fein

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	638 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	419 pages

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Phillips-Fein identifies three main factors that motivated businessmen to oppose the New Deal: fear of government intervention, a belief that the New Deal was unfair to business, and a desire to protect their own wealth and privilege.

• Fear of government intervention: Businessmen were deeply concerned about the New Deal's potential to increase government intervention in the economy. They believed that the New Deal would lead to a loss of freedom and autonomy for businesses.
• Belief that the New Deal was unfair to business: Businessmen also believed that the New Deal was unfair to business. They argued that the New Deal's tax increases and regulations would disproportionately harm businesses, especially small businesses.
• Desire to protect their own wealth and privilege: Finally, many businessmen were motivated by a desire to protect their own wealth and privilege. They believed that the New Deal would redistribute wealth and power from the wealthy to the poor.

These three factors, combined with the economic uncertainty of the Great Depression, created a powerful incentive for businessmen to oppose the New Deal.

Businessmen used a variety of tactics to oppose the New Deal. They lobbied Congress, funded anti-New Deal propaganda campaigns, and even organized strikes and boycotts.

• Lobbying Congress: Businessmen lobbied Congress to pass legislation that would weaken or repeal the New Deal. They were particularly successful in lobbying against labor unions and social welfare programs.
• Funding anti-New Deal propaganda campaigns: Businessmen also funded anti-New Deal propaganda campaigns. These campaigns spread misinformation about the New Deal and sought to turn public opinion against it.
• Organizing strikes and boycotts: In some cases, businessmen even organized strikes and boycotts to protest the New Deal. These actions were often unsuccessful, but they demonstrated the depth of business opposition to the New Deal.

The Businessmen's Crusade Against the New Deal was a significant factor in the downfall of the New Deal. Businessmen used their wealth and influence to block or weaken New Deal programs and to spread misinformation about it. As a result, the New Deal was unable to fully achieve its goals of ending the Depression and providing economic security for all Americans.

The Businessmen's Crusade Against the New Deal is a valuable contribution to the literature on the New Deal. It provides a fresh perspective on the role that business played in the downfall of the New Deal and offers a nuanced understanding of the motivations of businessmen during this period. Phillips-Fein's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the New Deal or the role of business in American politics.

Invisible Hands: The Businessmen's Crusade Against the New Deal

by Kim Phillips-Fein

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	638 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	419 pages

FREE