Describe Georgia Governor Eugene Talmadge’s reaction to the New Deal.
Georgia Governor Eugene Talmadge strongly opposed the New Deal policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Talmadge was a staunch conservative and believed that the federal government should not interfere in the affairs of individual states. He saw the New Deal as an overreach of federal power and viewed Roosevelt as a socialist.
Talmadge argued that the New Deal programs, such as the Agricultural Adjustment Act and the National Recovery Administration, were detrimental to Georgia's agricultural and business sectors. He believed that these policies would lead to increased government control, decreased individual liberty, and the erosion of states' rights.
The governor particularly opposed the New Deal's push for racial equality, including the establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps which employed both African Americans and Whites. Talmadge, a segregationist, vehemently resisted any attempt to challenge the traditional racial hierarchy in the South.
Talmadge also had a personal rivalry with Roosevelt which further fueled his opposition to the New Deal. He accused Roosevelt of aiming to undermine the power of Southern Democrats, including himself, and attempted to rally support against the president's policies.
Given his strong convictions, Talmadge actively campaigned against the New Deal, condemning Roosevelt's actions and advocating for limited government intervention. Despite his efforts, however, the majority of Georgia's population remained supportive of the New Deal and its efforts to alleviate the effects of the Great Depression.