Americans who blamed FDR for the Recession still generally approved of the New Deal and were happy to see new programs introduced in 1937 and 1938. But some, like the farmer who put up this sign, were against it. They felt that FDR had overreached, had taken too much power, and was exercising too much control over the economy. Just as FDR had feared, these people voted against the Democrats in the 1938 Congressional elections.
Look at each image of voting returns in the maps below. The one on the left shows results for elections to the Senate, and the one on the right show results for elections to the House of Representatives. Click each image to learn more about what it reveals about voting in 1938.
The Republican wins in Congress meant that FDR would have a very hard time passing any more New Deal legislation. Even many Democrats were anti-New Deal by 1938, afraid they would lose their seats if they supported it. The minimum wage portion of the FLSA was the last meaningful piece of New Deal legislation passed by Congress.
Test your understanding of the 1938 elections and the end of the New Deal by completing the activity below.
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Democrats also voted against new New Deal legislation because it was unpopular.
The Democrats lost 72 seats in the House and 7 in the Senate.
Many Americans felt FDR had too much power.
Anti-New Deal Republicans voted against New Deal legislation.
No important New Deal legislation was passed after 1938.
Republicans who had voted Democratic for FDR in 1932 and 1936 went back to the Republican Party.
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