David Kennedy on the Great Depression and the New Deal

New Deal Coalition

Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal coalition was a masterstroke in political strategy, uniting diverse groups under the Democratic Party. David Kennedy explains how Roosevelt mobilized labor unions and ethnic communities, particularly Catholics and Jews, to form a long-lasting political alliance 1. This coalition dominated U.S. politics for decades, with Roosevelt's strategic appointments and policies ensuring loyalty to the Democratic Party.

Roosevelt understood that here was a constituency or a potential constituency that he could mobilize politically and attach to the Democratic party for at least another generation.

--- David Kennedy

The coalition's impact was profound, shifting the political landscape and influencing future Democratic strategies 2.

   

Strategic Appointments

Roosevelt's strategic appointments were pivotal in consolidating support across various demographics. David Kennedy highlights how Roosevelt appointed over 50 Catholics to the federal bench in his first eight years, a stark contrast to his Republican predecessors 1. This deliberate outreach to immigrant communities strengthened their loyalty to the Democratic Party.

He was deliberately reaching out to those communities, these immigrant communities especially, and cultivating their loyalty.

--- David Kennedy

Additionally, Roosevelt's administration began turning the African American vote towards the Democrats, a significant shift from their historical alignment with the Republican Party 2.