Beware the Demagogue in American History

The presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt began in 1933 following the "Great Depression" which saw millions of Americans left unemployed and in poverty. At the time, numerous groups from the so-called "far right" to the left clamored for power, each promising a new and permanent solution to the growing national crisis. This was also the time dictators in Europe capitalized on the worldwide depression. Hitler took power, for example, in 1933, the same year FDR became president.

One of the most vociferous demagogues of that time was Huey Long, the "Kingfish" from Louisiana who gained power and popularity first in his home state and then throughout the South. At first, he supported FDR but by the mid-term elections had begun to explore his own possible run for the presidency. Like other disparate voices at the time, Long was, according the historian Albert Fried, a "...master of dissimulation." If Twitter had existed during Long's life, he would have been disconnected for spreading misinformation.

Long was believed by millions. Yet, as Fried wrote, Long was, "an unprincipled rowdy, a threat to the American Commonwealth." Fried quotes another writer who called Long a "Pied Piper"..."leading America to dictatorship." Fortunately, before Long could cause more harm, he was assassinated in Baton Rouge. Long, however, was not the only threat to American democracy in our history. Such men existed ever since the founding of the nation. Men like Aaron Burr, who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel.

One of the primary duties of the citizenry is to constantly be aware of political and social events and to know the history of the American nation. Edmund Burke reputedly said that, "the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

For further reading, quotes taken from

Albert Fried, FDR and His Enemies. 1999, Palgrave; St.  Martin's Press.