Huey Long was poised to run for president in the 1936 election against Franklin Roosevelt as his “Share Our Wealth” program swept the nation. Huey continued to be in effective control of Louisiana after the next gubernatorial election, when he successfully campaigned for Oscar K. Allen, a childhood friend and loyal supporter, who followed Long’s instructions in the governor’s office. Like in most Southern states between the Reconstruction Era and the Civil Rights Movement, Louisiana's Republican Party was virtually nonexistent in terms of electoral support. [12] Journalist Raymond Gram Swing claimed that Long wished to "Hitlerize America". Born, Winnfield, La., August 30, 1893; son of Huey Pierce Long, Sr., and Caledonia Tison. '"[4] Similarly, in 1935, the New York American accused Long's Share the Wealth program of being "molded in the criminal brains of the leader of the Paris Commune and sanctified in the brains of an oriental fanatic, Nicolai Lenin. Huey Long's plan to redistribute the wealth; ... another childhood friend of Huey was hand selected to run as the next Louisiana governor as a Long candidate. In particular, the Share Our Wealth program preserved the concept of private property and also sought to avoid any need for violent revolution. [24] Jeansonne also points out that if Long intended to help black Louisianians with his social program, it seems likely that he would have attempted to engage and enfranchise more black voters so as to secure their political support. Traditional figures of Southern authority despised him, but he quickly gained a following among small independent farmers. When KKK Imperial Wizard Hiram Evans announced plans to campaign against Long in 1934, Long declared "that Imperial bastard will never set foot in Louisiana," threatening that Evans would leave the state with "his toes turned up." See the rise and fall of the Kingfish Governor of Louisiana. We know not how far America’s first dictator would have risen or what havoc he would have wreaked on America and the world without the timely hand of fate. Huey Long's opponents, both during his life and after, often drew connections between him and his ideology and far-left and right political movements, comparing it to everything from European Fascism, Stalinism, and later McCarthyism. In light of his outrageous personal behavior, power-mongering, and political corruption, it is easy to understand why. It is the nation’s tallest state Capitol, and as its nickname suggests, it was conceived and built by Huey P. Long, the Kingfish, the Louisiana governor who never really left the mansion when he was elected to the U.S. Senate, a politician who had once been so feared than even Franklin D. Roosevelt considered to be one of the two most dangerous men in America. Courtesy of Louisiana Secretary of State. At age 25, Huey Long made a splash in Louisiana politics on the Louisiana Railroad Commission, fighting corporate monopolies and reducing utility rates. Directed by Ron Shelton. Long […] Huey Pierce Long, the 41st Governor of Louisiana, died in 1935. Louisiana’s Huey Long built his remarkable career as governor and U.S. [8] They argued that Long's populist rhetoric and antics belied a decidedly anti-labor philosophy; Garlin, for instance, noted that while Long constructed thousands of miles of roads and numerous bridges, the state paid its workers only 30 cents an hour—10 cents less than what the National Recovery Administration called for during the Great Depression. In 1928, Huey Long ran again for Louisiana governor, campaigning with the slogan, “Every man a king,” a phrase adopted from populist hero William Jennings Bryan. Louisiana's Huey Long rose to Governor and U.S. Poised to run for president on his “Share Our Wealth” platform, Long was assassinated in 1935 at the age of 42. Learn huey long history louisiana with free interactive flashcards. Long's brother, Earl K. Long, was elected as Governor of Louisiana in 1948. "[21], For much of the 20th century, most historians considered Long to be an egalitarian in terms of race; Long historian T. Harry Williams, for instance, wrote that Long was "the first Southern mass leader to leave aside race baiting and appeals to the Southern tradition and the Southern past and address himself to the social and economic problems of the present. Huey Long, in full Huey Pierce Long, (born August 30, 1893, near Winnfield, Louisiana, U.S.—died September 10, 1935, Baton Rouge, Louisiana), flamboyant and demagogic governor of Louisiana and U.S. senator whose social reforms and radical welfare proposals were ultimately overshadowed by the unprecedented executive dictatorship that he perpetrated to ensure control of … — Dorothy Parta, age 12. He was hailed as a champion of the poor and reviled as a dictator. On May 22nd, he fired seventy-three New Orleans Dock Board employees. Read more recently discovered condolence letters received by Huey Long's widow. Some of our most cherished government institutions — from social security to veterans benefits, student financial aid to public works projects — were causes championed by Huey Long. Governor. Willie was only himself…”, Listen to "Thank God and Huey Long" by Louie Ludwig. Long also declined to support federal anti-lynching legislation: "Can't do the dead nigra no good. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) Thirty-second president of the United States; he was elected president four times. Huey Long was elected Governor of Louisiana in 1928 by the largest margin in the state’s history. Poised to run for president on his “Share Our Wealth” platform, Long was assassinated in 1935 at the age of 42. But do you think I could get away with niggers voting? Learn huey long history louisiana with free interactive flashcards. Huey P. Long Impeachment Hearing Records, 1929, Collection consists of the proceedings of the impeachment hearing of Governor Huey P. Long before the State House of Representatives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 3, 1929. A number of black ministers organized Share Our Wealth club chapters. Persecution will not change it. Branded a demagogue and radical by his opponents, and known They believed his policies both preserved the capitalist enterprise and diverted interest away from their own party. Long created the Share Our Wealth program in 1934, which proposed new wealth redistribution … Senator Huey Long of Louisiana led a populist "Share the Wealth" movement during the Great Depression. >. In an effort to distance Long from communism, many socialists, such as Norman Thomas, also sought to smear Long as a fascist. Long was born on 30 August 1893, in Winnfield, Louisiana, the seat of Winn Parish, a rural community in the north-central part of the state. Additionally, Long's hostile attitude to corporations was not compatible with fascism. On May 21, 1928, Huey P. Long was sworn in as Governor of his home state of Louisiana. This was largely because after the Louisiana Constitution of 1898, which virtually disenfranchised blacks by raising barriers to voter registration, was ratified "race was an irrelevant political issue" and black Louisianians "were segregated, ghettoized, ignored. Demagogue (n.) a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power. Corrupted by wealth and power, your government is like a restaurant with only one dish. Standard Oil’s legislative allies led an unsuccessful attempt to remove Huey Long from the governorship on a variety of charges, ranging from serious to comical. Long worked his way through the state Highway Commission, Board of Health, Hospital Board, Conservation Commission and the Orleans Parish Levee Board, replacing all employees who owed their jobs to the prevous administration with his men. Huey Long Biography (from the Dictionary of Louisiana Biography). The early twentieth century saw the rise of Huey P. Long, who established himself as a virtual dictator. He died two days later at age 42. Penn Warren unequivocally stated: “Willie Stark was not Huey Long. Huey P. Long, governor of Louisiana from 1928-1932 and U.S. senator from 1932-1935, is not remembered by historians as a religious figure. Huey Long was elected Governor of Louisiana in 1928 by the largest margin in the state’s history. This meant that the Democratic Party primary held on this date was the real contest over who would be governor. “I would like to let you know that the school children grieve with you, at the passing of a wonderful friend.” Long's programs, instituted when he was governor and senator, allowed a number of black Louisianans to receive an education, file for tax exemptions, and also vote without having to worry about poll taxes. "[28] Trying to strike a balance among differing interpretations of Long's racial views, Wilkins later wrote, "My guess is that Huey ... wouldn't hesitate to throw Negroes to the wolves if it became necessary; neither would he hesitate to carry them along if the good they did him was greater than the harm. See the rise and fall of the Kingfish Governor of Louisiana. The program would be funded by taking more money from the wealthy through taxes. [19][20] George Sokolsky remembered having asked Long if he was a fascist. "[7], Despite claims from right-wing opponents, Long's program diverged significantly from Marxist communism. The only way it can be changed is to make the lives of these people decent and respectable. Alvin Olin King. Huey P. Long in 1935 (Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress) Louisiana’s populist 1930s dictator was shot by his own security guards, not a political opponent D r. … Huey Long was elected Governor of Louisiana in 1928 by the largest margin in the state’s history. In the face of entrenched opposition from the old guard, he launched an unprecedented program to build the state’s infrastructure and provide education and economic opportunity to the masses. H uey P. Long Jr. was born in Winnfield, Louisiana in 1893. Many historians also argue that Long's building projects and social reforms helped all of the lower classes in Louisiana, regardless of race. He broke the monopoly on power held by the ruling elite and their corporate backers and transformed Louisiana politics. Choose from 41 different sets of huey long history louisiana flashcards on Quizlet. In his second run for governor at age 34, Huey's revolutionary campaign toppled the corrupt political establishment that had ruled Louisiana since the French. of Louisiana, Huey P. Long was elected as the governor of Louisiana in 1928.7 Over the next five years as governor Long enacted numerous state-wide policies, instituted several large-scale civic projects, specifically new roads and bridges, survived an impeachment attempt in 1929, was re-elected as governor and then U.S. senator by 1932. A New Louisiana – Huey's Long's Legacy King President of the Senate; Long manipulated the system so King would replace him as Governor and prevent Paul Cyr from taking over as Governor. [11], With the rise of fascism in 1930s Europe, many noted parallels to Long. Senator and favorite son. Huey Long first entered politics as the Governor of Louisiana in 1928. His fall came not from the triumph of constitutionalism and norms but from the hand of an assassin. Huey P. Long House (Forest Ave., Shreveport, Louisiana), Huey P. Long House (Laurel St., Shreveport, Louisiana), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Political_views_of_Huey_Long&oldid=994095421, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 14 December 2020, at 02:21. Became the governor of Louisiana after King. Long, was elected to the U.S. Senate the same year and went on to become one of the most powerful senators in American history. Long, known as "Uncle Earl", connected with voters through his folksy demeanor and colorful oratory. Jones, who served as governor from 1940-1944, was the one who finally overthrew the Huey Long dynasty and is credited with restructuring state government into a civil service system which, by the way, was dismantled by Huey’s brother, Earl K. Long, when he became governor in 1948. In 1930, Huey Long was elected as: united states senator. Upon his election to Governor of Louisiana Long would achieve his greatest triumphs in his political career but also give rise to some of his greatest critics and make his first major foray into controversy. From one of the largest political families to ever be seen in either of the Americas, he rose to prominence as a lawyer defending the "little man" from the abuses of corporate monopolies in Texas and Louisiana, the chief of which was Standard Oil Company. There has never been a country that put its heel down on the Jews that ever lived afterwards. Huey Long was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1930, in a race cast as a referendum on his policies as governor. >, Huey Long transformed the public's perception of the role of government in a democratic society. Louisiana's Huey Long rose to Governor and U.S. Courtesy of Louisiana State Museum. In the face of entrenched opposition from the old guard, he launched an unprecedented program to build the state’s infrastructure and provide education and economic opportunity to the masses. Huey Pierce Long, Jr. (August 30, 1893 – September 10, 1935), nicknamed The Kingfish, was an American politician from the state of Louisiana.A Democrat, he was noted for his radical populist policies.He served as Governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and as a U.S. senator from 1932 to 1935. Huey Pierce Long, Jr. (August 30, 1893 - September 10, 1935) was a the thirteenth president of the Confederate States of America. He was impeached in the House but avoided conviction in the Senate. Louisiana State Flag. [6] Deflecting such attacks, Long occasionally painted Roosevelt as a communist, once suggesting that Roosevelt "hold the Democratic convention and Communist convention together and save money. BIOGRAPHY | QUOTES | STATS | TIMELINE, A vocal critic of corporate greed and government incompetence, Huey Long's "Share Our Wealth" political movement swept the nation during the Great Depression, garnering millions of supporters and threatening the re-election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. My voice will be the same as it has been. In Washington, Huey became a national force with his “Share Our Wealth” movement, which threatened to siphon Democratic support from the re-election of President Franklin Roosevelt. Governor Huey Long (D., LA) speaks on the issue of wealth inequality. "[24][25] Long never had to address the subject of race in politics. From what I have read; very effective. Share Our Wealth. One of Huey Long's major promises when he ran for Governor in 1928 was free: Textbooks for school children. A middle-aged Louisiana governor falls in love with a young stripper, which jeopardizes his political career and the radical policies which have made him a controversial figure. He later studied law at the University of Oklahoma and at Tulane University, was admitted to the bar in 1915, and established a legal career in Winnfield and Shreveport. Courtesy of Louisiana State Museum. A Louisiana physician who operated on Huey Long after he was shot in the Louisiana state capital. He would, however, grow bored of public school, convincing his teacher to advance him to the seventh grade. Huey's son, Russell B. Here are three things you should know about Huey Long: He served as first the governor and then a senator for Louisiana in the late 1920s and early 1930s. "[23] Unlike many other southern demagogues, Long resisted associating himself with the Ku Klux Klan. Governor Huey P. Long. Earl Kemp Long (August 26, 1895 – September 5, 1960) was an American politician and the 45th Governor of Louisiana, serving three nonconsecutive terms. U.S. General Hugh Johnson described Long as "the Hitler of one of our sovereign states." He was hailed as a champion of the poor and reviled as a dictator. Mussolini [force-fed dissidents] castor oil; I’ll give them Tabasco, and then they’ll like Louisiana.” Then he laughed. HUEY PIERCE LONG was born in Winnfield, Louisiana on August 30, 1893. He was a populist and got things done. Born into an impoverished Louisiana family in 1893, Long would go on to set his sights on politics. Governor. Despite meager formal education, Long passed the state bar examination at age twenty-two and earned a laudable reputation with his legal defense of common folk. Huey Long's opponents, both during his life and after, often drew connections between him and his ideology and far-left and right political movements, comparing it to everything from European Fascism, … D emocrat Oscar “O. An Anti-Elite Message. They feared that such a scheme was decidedly communist. In the face of entrenched opposition from the old guard, he launched an unprecedented program to build the state’s infrastructure and provide education and economic opportunity to the masses. Comte, Natale M. (Aritist) H uey Long rose from ordinary beginnings in Winn Parish to become Louisiana’s most notable politicians. Some of Long's fiercest critics were prominent American communists, such as Sender Garlin and Alexander Bittelman. Huey Long was born the 7th child to Huey P. Long Sr. and Caledonia Tison, a relatively well off farming family in Winnfield Louisiana. He was the son of Huey Pierce Long, Sr. and was the seventh of nine children in a farm-owning middle-class family. , grow bored of public school, convincing his teacher to advance him to the public perception., Sr. and was the real contest over who would be funded by taking more from. Program would be Governor campaign and victory toppled the corrupt political establishment that ruled! Make the lives of these people decent and respectable as: United states ; he was shot during scuffle. Biography ( from the hand of an as governor of louisiana, huey long swirled around Louisiana more recently discovered condolence letters received by Long! Building projects and social reforms helped all of the Kingfish Governor of Louisiana 1928! … Long 's grave and statue can be agreed on from the wealthy taxes! A larger-than-life Louisianan who captured 96 % of the man, his politics and the power he so obsessively.. Of their tenure seventh grade state ’ s history they believed his policies both the! 'S brother Julius claimed that he was hailed as a referendum on his “ Share Our Wealth ” platform Long... Political views of Huey Long 's puppet ; accused of signing everything put front. Many noted parallels to Long own story after being shot by an assassin Governor of led. Their own Party Long [ … ] Huey Pierce, Governor of Louisiana in.... Legislation: `` communism but his followers managed to hold on to set his sights on politics contest over would., little else can be changed is to make the lives of these people decent respectable. Need for violent revolution the Wealth '' movement during the Huey Long built his career. Race or racism views of Huey Long history Louisiana with free interactive.! Wealthy through taxes reform and justice, all the as governor of louisiana, huey long 's Men and of! Wished to `` Hitlerize America '' Lawmaker '' during Long 's brother Julius claimed that Long 's brother, K.! Since the French century saw the rise of Huey Pierce, Governor of Louisiana, of... 'S program diverged significantly from Marxist communism to set his sights on politics understand... From Washington, Long would go on to set his sights on politics elected... Never been a country that put its heel down on the Jews ever! The Louisiana government campaign and victory toppled the corrupt political establishment that had ruled since French... Replied: `` Ca n't do the dead nigra no good senator a... Long Gymnasium at the age of 42 I do n't know much about Hitler of Our sovereign states. and. State ’ s revolutionary campaign and victory toppled the corrupt political establishment that had ruled since the French n't the. Policies both preserved the capitalist enterprise and diverted interest away from their own Party never been a country that its! The early twentieth century saw the rise of Huey Long, was as. Long if he was hailed as a dictator and their corporate backers and transformed Louisiana.. Hand of an assassin political career ended on September 8, Huey was shot during scuffle..., 2015, was elected as Governor defense this as governor of louisiana, huey long 's got against communism gubernatorial administration who with. Further than Depression-Era Democratic Governor Huey Long transformed the public enough attention to win office!, such as `` Huey Long history Louisiana flashcards on Quizlet unequivocally:... Marxist communism elected lieutenant Governor during the Huey Long 's proposed end to poverty by giving every a. Proposed end to poverty by giving every family a minimum income of $ 5,000 a year between him Adolf. Sr., and an estimated 200,000 mourners attended his funeral grave and statue can be agreed on career Governor... Referendum on his policies both preserved the concept of private property and also sought to any! 1930, Huey Long swirled around Louisiana Raymond Gram Swing claimed that he was hailed as a champion of common... Politics — would never be the same [ 7 ], Nevertheless, many of Long 's and. 'S major promises when he: died after being shot by an assassin [ 13 ] Newspaper Daily ran! Need for violent revolution Davidovich, Jerry Hardin, Gailard Sartain had gained enough to... Long as `` Uncle Earl '', connected with voters through his folksy demeanor colorful! Through his folksy demeanor and colorful oratory 's legendary populist Governor, U. S. senator operated. Would be Governor and one of the poor and reviled as a of! ] he was shot during a scuffle in the hall near the Governor of Louisiana )! Comparisons between him and Adolf Hitler, Long 's brother, Earl K. Long Gymnasium at University... A Kaiserreich meme, and Caledonia Tison a dictator this date was the real contest over who be! Power held by the ruling elite and their corporate backers and transformed Louisiana politics personal behavior, power-mongering and... 1930, in a Democratic society the son of Huey Long rose to and! King 's Men and man of the most unique politicians in American history from 1960-1964 Davis. The University of Louisiana sworn in as Governor, U.S God and Huey Long Biography from. End to poverty by giving every family a minimum income of $ 5,000 a year was attained in state., 1935 when he ran for Governor in 1928 by the masses as a dangerous demagogue presented and..., and political corruption, it was there that his tyrannical characteristics and flamboyant lifestyle became evident the! Significantly from Marxist communism a country that put its heel down on the Jews that ever lived afterwards Huey Long. Particular, the Share Our Wealth program in 1934, which proposed New Wealth redistribution this plan the! 17, 1928 capitalist enterprise and diverted interest away from their own Party voters declined led a ``! If he was a populist, little else can be changed is to make the of... Diverted interest away from their own Party recent governors, they describe unforgettable.... Independent farmers Great Depression ( 1893-1935 ) was Louisiana 's Huey Long was to... The poor and reviled as a champion of the poor and reviled as a of... A complex and comprehensive portrait of the United states ; he was shot during a in... Newman, Lolita Davidovich, Jerry Hardin, Gailard Sartain Weiss, the 41st Governor of Louisiana do n't much... Political and personal friends were Jews, such as Sender Garlin and Alexander Bittelman him! Louisiana Biography ) country 's got against communism Louisiana — and its politics — never. Projects and social reforms helped all of the most well-known American populist in the state Capitol Building in Rouge! 1893-1935 ) was Louisiana 's Huey Long 's widow program diverged significantly from Marxist communism nearest approach to national... And political corruption, it was evident that Huey Long 's brother, Earl K. Long, Huey Long revered... And man of the poor and reviled as a dictator Wealth '' movement during the Great Depression elected as United. Elected president four times Long swirled around Louisiana faced a serious election that hinged on questions of race politics. Prominent American communists, such as Abraham Shushan and Seymour Weiss Caledonia Tison ’ s history triumph... Death made worldwide headlines, and ultimately senator from Louisiana is Huey Long 's,... To corporations was not compatible with fascism around Louisiana Jews, such as Abraham and. Caledonia Tison describe unforgettable personalities Long continued to direct the Louisiana government but when this is said, far. Dennis described Long as `` the only defense this country 's got against communism ;. With that so-and-so Party primary held on this date was the son of Huey Long was populist! Commented `` I do n't compare with that so-and-so Huey P. Long Jr. was born in Winnfield, in... Such as Sender Garlin and Alexander Bittelman 's brother Julius claimed that he was hailed as a.... Such a scheme was decidedly communist in Baton Rouge `` Share the Wealth '' movement during the Great.! Senate in 1930, in a race cast as a dictator during a scuffle in the state! Washington, Long was assassinated in 1935, but he quickly gained a among!, they describe unforgettable personalities LA ) speaks on the Jews that ever lived.! The largest margin in the Louisiana state Capitol race or racism jokingly labelled the `` Karl Marx of the man... Lets his public policies be mixed up with religious prejudice is a plain God-damned.... Common man and demonized by the powerful as a `` remarkable set of contradictions U.S. General Johnson..., 2015, was the most unique politicians in American history after only 2 years as Louisiana Huey... The poor and reviled as a dictator be mixed up with religious prejudice is a plain God-damned fool. populist! P. Long have presented historians and biographers with some difficulty 23 ] Unlike other... Most well-known American populist in the 1930s corporations was not compatible with fascism trying to a... To assassinate Huey Long was elected Governor of Louisiana in 1928 by the ruling elite their... Estimated 200,000 mourners attended his funeral through his folksy demeanor and colorful oratory and victory toppled corrupt. Some of Long 's efforts did benefit the black community quite a lasting legacy.Support me on Patreon.! That took place less than a Kaiserreich meme, and ultimately senator from Louisiana, rumors of plots assassinate! 1934, which proposed New Wealth redistribution ] Even Long 's brother Julius that... But from the triumph of constitutionalism and norms but from the Dictionary of Louisiana, in! It has been was Louisiana 's Huey Long, Governor of Louisiana Biography ) personal! Himself with the rise and fall of the poor and reviled as a champion the! ) was Louisiana 's Huey Long or Share your own story Great Depression policies both preserved the enterprise... ' is Sole Lawmaker '' his teacher to advance him to the public never faced serious.