What was the central issue that caused conflict over whether the new deal was a good idea or not?

1 Answer
Mar 19, 2018

It was the role of the government really.

Explanation:

President Hoover was a republican who staunchly believed in the free market and laissez faire economics. When the depression hit in 1929, his response was at first a statement telling Americans to “work hard it’ll be over soon” (not a direct quote). He also created a few government programs later on like the Federal Farm Board to help the farms recover. It was pretty ineffectual, however, because the funding wasn’t nearly enough.

Hoover was against all government programs because of his belief that the unhindered free market shouldn’t be tampered with. Opposition to the new deal which was a polar opposite to this doctrine was rooted in pro-laissez faire attitudes.