What did critics argue was a threat to traditional American values due to the New Deal?

Critics of the New Deal often highlighted that the growth of the federal government and the expanded role of federal programs posed a significant threat to traditional American values. They believed that the increase in government intervention in economic matters fostered a dependency on federal aid among the populace. This reliance was viewed as eroding the self-sufficiency and individualism that were hallmarks of American identity.

The New Deal programs aimed to provide relief and recovery during the Great Depression, but critics feared that such measures would lead to an expansive government that undermined personal responsibility and initiative. The concern was rooted in the belief that a more powerful federal government could gradually shift the balance of power away from individual states and localities, resulting in a diminished sense of personal agency among citizens.

In this context, the idea of dependence on government aid contradicted core American principles of self-reliance and free enterprise, sparking substantial debate over the direction of the nation’s values and governance in the wake of the economic crisis.