Why did conservatives criticize the new deal and the great society?

Answer 1

Opposition to the New DealMany fiscal conservatives attacked the New Deal policies because of the tremendous cost. Others felt the government was becoming too big. Some of the New Deal agencies, like the TVA and REA, were opposed because conservatives felt they were socialistic. Big business also was concerned that the government was getting into production and distribution of things that were previously done by private business and industry. Groups like the American Liberty League were formed which accused FDR of trying to destroy the capitalistic (free enterprise) system. Some also felt that the executive branch was assuming too much power.

Answer 2

There were several reasons. One, as might be expected, was partisan: the Republicans had lost to the Democrats and many Republicans were not at all happy about it; they decided they would do their best to oppose President Roosevelt's policies, rather than see him get the credit for bringing America out of the Depression. But while such thinking sound rather childish (and not every Republican felt that way), it does lead to the other reason: many conservative Republicans (and even a small number of conservative Democrats) sincerely believed the New Deal was an expansion of government and was going to require too much spending. The people in the Republican Party who were opposed to the New Deal were not all partisans who hated Democrats. Many were sincere "small government" Republicans, and in their view, the market would eventually self-correct, and government intervention was wrong. They feared that so much government spending was a bad idea, and they feared that President Roosevelt was going to become too powerful. Thus, they opposed the New Deal, even when there was evidence to show it was working.