Bootstrap liberalism : Texas political culture in the age of FDR / Sean P. Cunningham.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cunningham, Sean P., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Right and left (Political science)--Texas--History--20th century.

Right and left (Political science).

Texas--Politics and government--1865-1950.

Texas.

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945--Influence.

Roosevelt, Franklin D.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (330 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Lawrence, Kansas : University Press of Kansas, [2022]

Summary:

"The Lone Star State is often viewed as a bastion of conservative politics and rugged "bootstrap" individualism, but that narrative overlooks the fact that FDR's New Deal liberalism was quite popular in Texas, much more so than previous histories of the era have suggested. While it is true that many Texas Democrats remained staunchly conservative during Franklin Roosevelt's presidency, and is also true that many of these conservatives formed the basis of an established majority that would grow stronger in the decades that followed, it is simultaneously true that ordinary voters-and a good many politicians-embraced New Deal policies, federal experimentation, and direct economic aid, and often did so enthusiastically. Texas political leaders recognized the popularity of the New Deal and identified themselves with FDR for their own political advantage. Using original resources mined from six research archives, Bootstrap Liberalism explores various policy debates as they unfolded at the local, state, and national levels throughout the Great Depression and World War II eras, revealing a consistent brand of pro-New Deal messaging that won favor with voters across the state"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction: "Men of constructive minds and patriotic motives"

"We can do no worse"

"Conservative progressive constructive legislation"

"Sired by the devil and born in hell"

"Communism with a haircut and a shave"

"My very old and close friend"

"A closer connection with our Federal Government"

Epilogue: "The forgotten man."

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780700633012

0700633014

OCLC:

1313124037