Roosevelt’s "Court-Packing Plan"

Definition

Roosevelt’s 'Court-Packing Plan' was a controversial proposal put forth by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937 to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court from nine to as many as fifteen. This plan aimed to reduce the influence of the conservative justices who had struck down several key pieces of New Deal legislation, reflecting Roosevelt's frustration with the court's opposition to his reforms and his desire to ensure the survival of his New Deal policies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Court-Packing Plan proposed to add one new justice for each sitting justice over the age of 70, potentially allowing Roosevelt to appoint up to six new justices.
2. The plan was met with significant backlash from both Congress and the public, who viewed it as an attempt by Roosevelt to undermine judicial independence.
3. Ultimately, Roosevelt's Court-Packing Plan failed to pass in Congress, leading to a loss of political capital for him and a shift in strategy regarding his New Deal initiatives.
4. Following the backlash against the plan, the Supreme Court began to rule more favorably on New Deal legislation, a shift known as 'the switch in time that saved nine.'
5. The controversy surrounding the Court-Packing Plan highlighted tensions between the executive and judicial branches and sparked ongoing debates about judicial power and reform.

Review Questions

• How did Roosevelt's 'Court-Packing Plan' reflect his broader goals for the New Deal and what were its intended effects?
  • Roosevelt's 'Court-Packing Plan' was directly tied to his desire to protect and promote his New Deal programs, which were facing resistance from a conservative Supreme Court. By attempting to increase the number of justices, he aimed to ensure that his reforms would be upheld and not declared unconstitutional. The intended effect was to create a more favorable judicial environment for his policies, thereby enabling him to achieve his goals of economic recovery and reform during the Great Depression.
• Evaluate the impact of public reaction and political opposition on Roosevelt's 'Court-Packing Plan'.
  • Public reaction and political opposition played crucial roles in shaping the outcome of Roosevelt's 'Court-Packing Plan'. Many citizens viewed the proposal as an overreach of presidential power that threatened judicial independence, leading to widespread criticism. Additionally, even members of Roosevelt's own Democratic Party were divided on the issue, with some fearing it could set a dangerous precedent. This opposition ultimately contributed to the plan's failure and forced Roosevelt to reconsider his approach towards both legislative reform and relations with the judiciary.
• Assess how Roosevelt's failed 'Court-Packing Plan' influenced subsequent interactions between the executive branch and the Supreme Court in American politics.
  • Roosevelt's failed 'Court-Packing Plan' significantly influenced future interactions between the executive branch and the Supreme Court by underscoring the limits of presidential power when it comes to altering judicial structure. The backlash from this proposal led to a greater emphasis on maintaining judicial independence in subsequent administrations. Moreover, it highlighted the need for a delicate balance between reform efforts and respect for established governmental processes, shaping how future presidents approached their relationship with the judiciary when implementing policy changes.

Related terms

New Deal:

A series of programs and reforms enacted by Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, aimed at providing economic relief, recovery, and reform.

Supreme Court:

The highest court in the United States, which has the ultimate authority over the interpretation of federal law and the Constitution.

Judicial Review:

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution, established by the landmark case Marbury v. Madison.