FDR's "court-packing" plan

Definition

FDR's 'court-packing' plan was a proposal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937 to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court, intending to add up to six new justices for every sitting justice over the age of 70. This controversial initiative aimed to secure favorable rulings for New Deal legislation, which had faced resistance from a conservative Supreme Court. The plan raised significant concerns about the separation of powers and judicial independence, ultimately leading to a political backlash against FDR.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. FDR proposed the court-packing plan after facing numerous defeats in the Supreme Court regarding his New Deal legislation, including key programs like the National Industrial Recovery Act.
2. The plan would allow FDR to appoint up to six additional justices, potentially increasing the court from nine to fifteen members, effectively giving him control over the judicial branch.
3. The proposal was met with intense criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, who viewed it as an attempt by FDR to undermine judicial independence and expand executive power.
4. Although the court-packing plan ultimately failed, it led to a shift in the Supreme Court's approach to New Deal legislation, with some justices beginning to support FDR's initiatives afterward.
5. The controversy surrounding the court-packing plan significantly damaged FDR's political capital and contributed to a decline in public support for his administration.

Review Questions

• How did FDR's 'court-packing' plan reflect his struggle with the Supreme Court over New Deal policies?
  • FDR's 'court-packing' plan was a direct response to his frustration with the Supreme Court, which had struck down several key pieces of New Deal legislation. By proposing to add new justices, he sought to create a more favorable judicial environment that would support his efforts to combat the Great Depression. This struggle highlighted the ongoing tension between the executive and judicial branches regarding policy implementation and constitutional interpretation.
• Analyze the political consequences of FDR's 'court-packing' plan on his administration and its long-term impact on the judiciary.
  • The political consequences of FDR's 'court-packing' plan were significant. The backlash from both parties weakened FDR's position and led to a loss of support for his New Deal initiatives. Although he later achieved some success with his programs, the controversy surrounding this proposal set a precedent for future debates about judicial authority and executive power. It also prompted a reevaluation of how presidents interact with the judiciary in America.
• Evaluate how FDR's court-packing plan shaped perceptions of executive power in relation to judicial independence in American politics.
  • FDR's court-packing plan ignited a fierce debate about the balance of power between the presidency and the judiciary, raising concerns about potential overreach by the executive branch. Critics feared that allowing FDR to appoint additional justices could undermine judicial independence, leading to a perception that presidents could manipulate the courts for their own political ends. This moment served as a crucial turning point in American politics, reinforcing the importance of checks and balances while influencing how future administrations approached their relationship with judicial authority.

Related terms

New Deal:

A series of programs and policies instituted by FDR aimed at recovering the U.S. economy during the Great Depression through relief, recovery, and reform.

Judicial Review:

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution, often leading to checks on legislative and executive actions.

Constitutional Crisis: A situation where there is a fundamental disagreement about the interpretation of the Constitution, often resulting in significant political or social upheaval.