APUSH Test Questions on the Court Packing Plan and New Deal Opposition

📚 Quick Study Guide

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• The New Deal: A series of programs and projects undertaken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt between 1933 and 1939 with the goal of ending the Great Depression.
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• Key New Deal Programs: Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Public Works Administration (PWA), Works Progress Administration (WPA), Social Security Act (SSA).
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• Judicial Opposition: The Supreme Court struck down several New Deal programs, viewing them as unconstitutional expansions of federal power (e.g., *Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States*, *United States v. Butler*).
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• Court Packing Plan (1937): Officially the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937, FDR's proposal to add justices to the Supreme Court for every justice over the age of 70 who refused to retire.
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• Motivation: Roosevelt aimed to overcome judicial resistance to New Deal legislation.
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• Opposition: The plan faced significant opposition from both parties, who viewed it as an attempt to undermine the independence of the judiciary.
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• Impact: While the bill failed to pass, the Supreme Court subsequently began to rule more favorably on New Deal legislation ("a switch in time that saved nine").
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• Arguments for the Plan: Supporters argued that the elderly justices were out of touch and slowing down progress.
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• Arguments Against the Plan: Opponents believed that the plan threatened the separation of powers and democratic principles.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following was NOT a major New Deal program?
   1. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
   2. Public Works Administration (PWA)
   3. National Recovery Administration (NRA)
   4. Federalist Party Initiative (FPI)
2. What was the primary reason for the Supreme Court's initial opposition to many New Deal programs?
   1. They believed the programs were too expensive.
   2. They viewed the programs as unconstitutional expansions of federal power.
   3. They were concerned about the environmental impact of the programs.
   4. They favored laissez-faire economic policies.
3. What was the main purpose of President Roosevelt’s “court-packing” plan?
   1. To reduce the size of the Supreme Court.
   2. To appoint more conservative justices.
   3. To overcome judicial opposition to the New Deal.
   4. To increase the salaries of Supreme Court justices.
4. Which of the following best describes the public and political reaction to Roosevelt’s court-packing plan?
   1. Overwhelming support from both Democrats and Republicans.
   2. Widespread opposition from both parties.
   3. Cautious support from Democrats, strong opposition from Republicans.
   4. Strong support from Republicans, cautious opposition from Democrats.
5. The phrase "a switch in time that saved nine" refers to:
   1. The number of Supreme Court justices Roosevelt wanted to add.
   2. The Supreme Court's shift in attitude toward New Deal legislation after the court-packing plan.
   3. The number of New Deal programs declared unconstitutional.
   4. The number of years the Great Depression lasted.
6. Which argument was used by opponents of Roosevelt’s court-packing plan?
   1. The plan would make the Supreme Court more efficient.
   2. The plan threatened the separation of powers.
   3. The plan was supported by the Constitution.
   4. The plan would reduce the power of the presidency.
7. What ultimately happened to the court-packing plan?
   1. It was passed by Congress and signed into law.
   2. It was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
   3. It was withdrawn by Roosevelt after facing strong opposition.
   4. It was amended and passed in a modified form.