Question

1. how many supreme court justices did fdr propose adding to the supreme court?
2. how many people were out of work during the great depression?
3. why did the supreme court invalidate some of the new deal program?
4. why did the supreme court rule some new deal programs as unconstitutional?
5. how many judges typically voted against fdr?
6. why did fdr want to pack the court?
7. why did the supreme court change their ruling of some new deal programs?
8. why did senate members not want to use a filibuster?
9. while fdrs proposal to pack the court did not pass, why was he still successful in getting his legislation approved?
10. summarize fdrs court packing in your own words.

Explanation:

To answer these questions, we'll address each one using historical context (Social Science - History subfield):

1. How many supreme court justices did FDR propose adding to the Supreme Court?

FDR proposed adding one justice for each sitting justice over 70, up to a maximum of 6 new justices (to reach 15 total). So he proposed adding 6.

2. How many people were out of work during the Great Depression?

At the peak (1933), ~13 million (or 25% of the workforce) were unemployed.

3. Why did the Supreme Court invalidate some of the New Deal program?

They ruled programs (e.g., NIRA, AAA) exceeded federal power (e.g., violating states’ rights, commerce clause interpretation) or were unconstitutional.

4. Why did the Supreme Court rule some New Deal programs as unconstitutional?

They viewed programs as overstepping federal authority (e.g., NIRA’s codes, AAA’s agricultural regulations) or violating constitutional limits (e.g., separation of powers, states’ rights).

5. How many judges typically voted against FDR?

A “bloc of four” (later five) conservative justices (e.g., McReynolds, Sutherland, Butler, Van Devanter) often voted against New Deal measures.

6. Why did FDR want to pack the court?

To ensure New Deal programs weren’t struck down—he sought a court more favorable to his policies by adding justices who supported the New Deal.

7. Why did the Supreme Court change their ruling of some New Deal programs?

After the court - packing threat and shifts in the court (e.g., retirements, new appointments), they upheld programs (e.g., NLRB v. Jones & Laughlin) by broadening constitutional interpretation (e.g., commerce clause).

8. Why did senate members not want to use a filibuster?

Filibustering the court - packing plan risked public backlash (FDR was popular, filibuster seen as obstructing reform) and damaged the Senate’s reputation.

9. While FDR’s proposal to pack the court did not pass, why was he still successful in getting his legislation approved?

The court shifted (justices retired, new appointees supported New Deal), so the court upheld later programs, and Congress (fearing political fallout) passed his legislation.

10. Summarize FDR’s Court Packing in your own words.

FDR proposed adding 6 justices (for each over 70) to “pack” the Supreme Court after it struck down New Deal programs. The bill failed, but the court later upheld New Deal measures, and FDR’s influence (via appointments) still advanced his agenda.

Answer:

s:

1. 6
2. ~13 million (peak)
3. Viewed as exceeding federal power/unconstitutional
4. Overstepped federal authority/violated constitutional limits
5. 4 - 5 (conservative bloc)
6. To get New Deal - friendly justices for policy support
7. Court - packing threat, shifts in court membership/interpretation
8. Public backlash, reputational damage
9. Court shifted (new appointees), Congress passed legislation
10. FDR tried to add 6 justices to the Supreme Court to protect New Deal programs. The bill failed, but the court later upheld his policies, and his influence still advanced his agenda.