The fireside chat format helped Roosevelt build the New Deal coalition by:

Answer: Using radio to speak directly to ordinary Americans about federal policy Radio allowed FDR to reassure citizens directly, an innovation that strengthened popular support for New Deal programs.

The plan was widely criticized—even by FDR allies—as

Answer: an attack on judicial independence and the separation of powers Many Democrats joined Republicans in viewing the scheme as a power grab; the bill failed in Congress, costing FDR political capital despite his 1936 landslide.

What is the most striking change in federal spending priorities from the 1920s reflected in this 1936 budget?

Answer: A massive increase in spending on direct relief and work programs as a share of the federal budget. In the 1920s, defense and veterans' benefits dominated a small federal budget. By 1936, New Deal relief (CCC, WPA, FERA) and emergency programs comprised the largest single share, reflecting an unprecedented federal role in economic life.

AP US History · Topic 7.10

The New Deal Practice

Part of Period 7: 1890–1945.

Practice questions

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Sample questions

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Sample 1difficulty 2/5
$"I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking... I can assure you that it is safer to keep your money in a reopened bank than under the mattress... It is your problem no less than it is mine. Together we cannot fail." — Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Fireside Chat, March 12, 1933$
$The fireside chat format helped Roosevelt build the New Deal coalition by:$
- A
  $Bypassing the Constitution to legislate by decree$
- B
  $Avoiding any contact with newspaper journalists$
- C
  $Using radio to speak directly to ordinary Americans about federal policy$
  check_circle
- D
  $Promoting Republican opposition to banking reform$
Why
$Radio allowed FDR to reassure citizens directly, an innovation that strengthened popular support for New Deal programs.$
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Sample 2difficulty 3/5
$"I therefore recommend that the Congress provide measures... by which... when any judge of a Federal Court shall fail to retire upon reaching the age of seventy, a new member shall be appointed by the President... A part of the problem of obtaining a sufficient number of judges to dispose of cases is the capacity of the judges themselves. This brings forward the question of aged or infirm judges—a subject of delicacy and yet one which requires frank discussion." — FDR's Court-Packing Message to Congress (February 5, 1937)$
$The plan was widely criticized—even by FDR allies—as$
- A
  $an attack on judicial independence and the separation of powers$
  check_circle
- B
  $too generous to the elderly$
- C
  $a violation of the 22nd Amendment$
- D
  $an extension of states' rights$
Why
$Many Democrats joined Republicans in viewing the scheme as a power grab; the bill failed in Congress, costing FDR political capital despite his 1936 landslide.$
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Sample 3difficulty 3/5
$What is the most striking change in federal spending priorities from the 1920s reflected in this 1936 budget?$
- A
  $Foreign aid became the largest budget category.$
- B
  $Tax collection ceased to fund the federal government.$
- C
  $A massive increase in spending on direct relief and work programs as a share of the federal budget.$
  check_circle
- D
  $A complete elimination of military spending.$
Why
$In the 1920s, defense and veterans' benefits dominated a small federal budget. By 1936, New Deal relief (CCC, WPA, FERA) and emergency programs comprised the largest single share, reflecting an unprecedented federal role in economic life.$
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Sample 4difficulty 3/5
$"An Act to provide for the general welfare by establishing a system of Federal old-age benefits, and by enabling the several States to make more adequate provision for aged persons, blind persons, dependent and crippled children, maternal and child welfare, public health, and the administration of their unemployment compensation laws; to establish a Social Security Board; to raise revenue; and for other purposes." — Social Security Act (1935), Preamble$
$Critics on the left, like Huey Long, attacked the Act because it$
- A
  $was too generous to industrial workers$
- B
  $did not redistribute wealth or cover farm and domestic workers$
  check_circle
- C
  $taxed corporations excessively$
- D
  $violated the gold-standard clause$
Why
$Long's "Share Our Wealth" demanded sweeping redistribution; the original Act notably excluded agricultural and domestic workers, disproportionately Black and Hispanic.$
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Sample 5difficulty 3/5
$"I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking... I can assure you that it is safer to keep your money in a reopened bank than under the mattress... It is your problem no less than it is mine. Together we cannot fail." — Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Fireside Chat, March 12, 1933$
$The banking confidence FDR sought here was reinforced most directly by which 1933 measure?$
- A
  $The Bland-Allison Act$
- B
  $The Federal Reserve Act of 1913$
- C
  $The Glass-Steagall Act, which created the FDIC to insure deposits$
  check_circle
- D
  $The Sherman Silver Purchase Act$
Why
$Glass-Steagall (June 1933) separated commercial and investment banking and established the FDIC, restoring depositor confidence.$
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