Changes

We have learned that failures in the economy often determine the outcome in the presidential election, as in 2008.  The presidential election in 1932 was no different:  the Great Depression resulted in a transfer from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party, and Democratic Party candidate Franklin Delano Roosevelt won the election.  The Democratic Party also won a huge number of seats in Congress:  90 seats in the House and 13 seats in the Senate.  FDR took his victory as a "mandate" to enact sweeping new legislation in order to lift the country out of the depression.  In a nutshell, President Roosevelt (who is often called simply "FDR") started massive federal works and relief programs, and refused to retire from the presidency after two terms as every other president did (beginning with George Washington).

We have learned that failures in the economy often determine the outcome in the presidential election, as in 2008.  The presidential election in 1932 was no different:  the Great Depression resulted in a transfer from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party, and Democratic Party candidate Franklin Delano Roosevelt won the election.  The Democratic Party also won a huge number of seats in Congress:  90 seats in the House and 13 seats in the Senate.  FDR took his victory as a "mandate" to enact sweeping new legislation in order to lift the country out of the depression.  In a nutshell, President Roosevelt (who is often called simply "FDR") started massive federal works and relief programs, and refused to retire from the presidency after two terms as every other president did (beginning with George Washington).

President Roosevelt had been previously paralyzed as an adult by contracting polio (probably while swimming), but his physical handicap was hidden from the public.  The media heavily promoted President Roosevelt and boosted his popularity above what it would have been otherwise during the hard times.

President Roosevelt had been previously paralyzed as an adult by contracting polio (probably while swimming), but his physical handicap was hidden from the public.  The media heavily promoted President Roosevelt and boosted his popularity above what it would have been otherwise during the hard times.  The media also praised FDR's liberal wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, who played an aggressive political role much as Hillary Clinton did when her husband Bill Clinton was president in the 1990s.

FDR's aggressive legislative program became known as the "New Deal," which meant expanded government programs supposedly to help the economy and the unemployed.  The New Deal consisted of passing many new laws (legislation) and creating new government jobs for people.  Critics of the New Deal point out that if the jobs were really needed, then free enterprise (private companies) would be doing it already.

FDR's aggressive legislative program became known as the "New Deal," which meant expanded government programs supposedly to help the economy and the unemployed.  The New Deal consisted of passing many new laws (legislation) and creating new government jobs for people.  Critics of the New Deal point out that if the jobs were really needed, then free enterprise (private companies) would be doing it already.

The above series of laws constituted the most sweeping change in the nature of government in America since the passage of the Constitution.  President Roosevelt quickly gave the federal (national) government vast new powers, and established an "administrative" form of government that continues to rule many industries to this day.  Gone forever with this legislation was the free enterprise of the "Era of Good Feelings," the Gilded Age, and the "Roaring Twenties."

The above series of laws constituted the most sweeping change in the nature of government in America since the passage of the Constitution.  President Roosevelt quickly gave the federal (national) government vast new powers, and established an "administrative" form of government that continues to rule many industries to this day.  Gone forever with this legislation was the free enterprise of the "Era of Good Feelings," the Gilded Age, and the "Roaring Twenties."

As you can see above, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a few key aspects of the New Deal, and this infuriated President Roosevelt.  We'll mention this again later.

As you can see above, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a few key aspects of the New Deal, and this infuriated President Roosevelt.  We'll mention this again later.  Conservatives also opposed the New Deal, and many others were vocal critics of it.  Charismatic Louisiana Governor Huey Long, also known as "Kingfish", supported FDR in 1932 but began opposing him in 1933 as a U.S. Senator, and planned to run for president himself until he was assassinated in 1935 at the peak of his popularity.

More big things happened in 1933.  The Democrats quickly ratified the 21st Amendment in order to repeal Prohibition and return to the States the power to regulate, allow or prohibit alcohol.  This amendment was the only one to use ratifying conventions (rather than votes by the State legislatures) in each State in order to obtain the necessary 3/4 number of States for it to become part of the Constitution.  Note that this process is different from holding a ''national'' constitutional convention to amend the Constitution, which has never occurred.

More big things happened in 1933.  The Democrats quickly ratified the 21st Amendment in order to repeal Prohibition and return to the States the power to regulate, allow or prohibit alcohol.  This amendment was the only one to use ratifying conventions (rather than votes by the State legislatures) in each State in order to obtain the necessary 3/4 number of States for it to become part of the Constitution.  Note that this process is different from holding a ''national'' constitutional convention to amend the Constitution, which has never occurred.