Father Charles E Coughlin Great Depression
In the early 1930s coughlin was arguably one of the most influential men in america.
Father charles e coughlin great depression. Millions of americans listened to his weekly radio broadcast. Long and catholic priest father charles e. Politically radical a passionate democrat he nevertheless was a bigot who freely vented angry irrational charges and assertions. Father coughlin the great depression s radio priest early life and career.
Both men strongly voiced their concerns about the unbalanced distribution of power and wealth and formed national organizations to promote their causes. In his early broadcasting career coughlin s sermons were not controversial. By the middle of the 1930s coughlin attracted between 30 and 45 million listeners a week making him one of america s most influential opinion makers. Against the deepening crisis of the great depression coughlin strongly endorsed franklin d.
Overview louisiana governor and united states senator huey p. Millions of americans listened to his weekly radio broadcast. Known for delving into politics more frequently than religious matters father coughlin was never shy about preaching his version of the truth to anyone be they loyal listeners or otherwise. A catholic priest he broadcast weekly radio sermons that by 1930 drew as many as forty five million listeners.
Father charles coughlin occupied both a strange and a familiar place in american politics in the 1930s. Father coughlin s influence on depression era america was enormous. His appeal was that. Father charles coughlin 1891 1979 was a roman catholic priest who became a national celebrity during the 1930s by hosting a popular radio broadcast.
He believed that only roosevelt could pull the united states out of the great depression and at the same time protect the country from the perceived communist threat. He was an early supporter of roosevelt s new deal reforms and coined the phrase roosevelt or ruin which entered common usage during the early days of the first fdr administration. Turn to controversy. Coughlin both rose to national prominence during the great depression.
At the height of his popularity one third of the nation was tuned into his weekly broadcasts. Father coughlin during his time in the public eye father charles coughlin became one of the most revered figures in the depression era of american history. Roosevelt was distrustful of coughlin from the beginning and only wanted his endorsement to help get elected. Charles coughlin was born in hamilton ontario canada on october 25 1891.
Coughlin used his radio program the hour of power to induce his followers to vote for roosevelt in the 1932 presidential elections. Father coughlin s influence on depression era america was enormous.