Court-packing plan

Definition

The court-packing plan refers to a proposal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937 to expand the Supreme Court from 9 to 15 justices. This plan was intended to allow Roosevelt to appoint additional justices who were more sympathetic to his New Deal policies, which had faced significant opposition from the conservative-leaning Supreme Court at the time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The court-packing plan was proposed by Roosevelt in response to a series of Supreme Court rulings that struck down key New Deal programs as unconstitutional.
2. The plan faced significant opposition from both Republicans and some Democrats, who saw it as a threat to the independence of the judiciary.
3. The Supreme Court eventually shifted its stance and began upholding New Deal programs, a phenomenon known as the 'switch in time that saved nine,' rendering the court-packing plan unnecessary.
4. The failure of the court-packing plan ultimately strengthened the independence of the judiciary and reinforced the system of checks and balances between the branches of government.
5. The court-packing plan is often cited as an example of the potential dangers of political interference with the judicial branch, and the importance of maintaining the separation of powers.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and rationale behind the court-packing plan proposed by President Roosevelt.
  • The court-packing plan was proposed by President Roosevelt in 1937 as a response to the Supreme Court's repeated rulings against key New Deal programs. Roosevelt sought to expand the Court from 9 to 15 justices, which would have allowed him to appoint additional members who were more sympathetic to his administration's policies. The plan was intended to shift the ideological balance of the Court and ensure that the New Deal's economic and social reforms would be upheld as constitutional, rather than struck down by the conservative-leaning Court at the time.
• Describe the political and constitutional implications of the court-packing plan and how it was received by Congress and the public.
  • The court-packing plan faced significant opposition from both Republicans and some Democrats, who saw it as a threat to the independence of the judiciary and a violation of the separation of powers. Critics argued that the plan would undermine the checks and balances that are fundamental to the American system of government. The plan was ultimately rejected by Congress, which helped to reinforce the Supreme Court's role as an independent and co-equal branch of government. The failure of the court-packing plan is often cited as a key moment in the preservation of judicial independence and the system of checks and balances.
• Analyze the long-term impact of the court-packing plan on the relationship between the executive and judicial branches, as well as on the public's perception of the Supreme Court's role in the American political system.
  • The court-packing plan had significant long-term implications for the relationship between the executive and judicial branches, as well as for the public's perception of the Supreme Court's role in the American political system. The plan's failure reinforced the Supreme Court's independence and its position as a co-equal branch of government, which helped to preserve the system of checks and balances. Additionally, the public backlash against the plan highlighted the importance of maintaining the separation of powers and the need for the judiciary to remain free from political interference. This experience ultimately strengthened the Supreme Court's legitimacy and authority, as the public came to see the Court as a vital safeguard against the potential abuse of power by the executive and legislative branches. The court-packing plan's legacy serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of attempting to manipulate the judicial system for political gain, and the importance of preserving the independence of the judiciary.

Related terms

Judicial review: The power of the judicial branch to review the constitutionality of laws and executive actions, and to invalidate those deemed unconstitutional.

New Deal:

A series of economic and social programs implemented by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression, aimed at providing relief, recovery, and reform for the American people.

Supreme Court: The highest court in the United States, responsible for interpreting the Constitution and serving as the final arbiter of the law.