Anti Lynching Dbq

The most radical administration since Reconstruction (1866-1877) was that of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal (1933-1945) which aimed to get America out of its deepest economic depression. The New Deal intended to bring welfare relief to impoverished and destitute Americans, although the New Deal transformed the United States and the status of politics at the time – as it refined the role of the federal and state governments, black Americans did not always directly benefit from it as an anti-lynching law was never passed. President Roosevelt’s failure to pass anti-lynching legislation was mainly because of his inability to overcome his political fears. Lack of presidential support does not fully explain President Roosevelt’s failure to

President Roosevelt was hesitant to address the issue of lynching as he believed that it would offend and alienate Southern Democrats, who dominated Congress and Senate at the time. If he were to suggest making lynching a federal crime punishable by law, the negative and bitter resistance from Southern politicians meant his success or failure as a President. Roosevelt did not want to risk losing support from them to ensure that programs in his New Deal would be accepted and approved – even though some meant helping impoverished black Americans. However it is argued that the intention of the New Deal was to not to help black Americans advance, hence the limited impact of on improving the civil rights of black Americans. President Roosevelt’s cabinet held more black Americans in government posts than any administration ever before however the use of white primaries did not stop, in hopes to not upset white Southern Democrats he allowed the use of white primaries which meant only white voters could participate in primary election in the Southern states. This was a method to ensure the disenfranchisement of black Americans as they could not vote of topics that directly affected them such as pushing for an anti-lynching