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. With Paul Newman, Lolita Davidovich, Jerry Hardin, Gailard Sartain. In particular, the Share Our Wealth program preserved the concept of private property and also sought to avoid any need for violent revolution. But when this is said, so far as Negroes are concerned, is done. 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. "[24] Long had never faced a serious election that hinged on questions of race or racism. Roosevelt adopted some of Huey’s ideas in order to “steal Long’s thunder,” while simultaneously moving to discredit him. Huey Long during a Washington DC radio broadcast. Louisiana — and its politics — would never be the same. He broke the monopoly on power held by the ruling elite and their corporate backers and transformed Louisiana politics. After only 2 years as Louisiana's Governor, Huey became the U.S. Learn huey long history louisiana with free interactive flashcards. 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. From what I have read; very effective. He served for 39 years. Share Our Wealth. The program would be funded by taking more money from the wealthy through taxes. "[24][25] Long never had to address the subject of race in politics. Again I can’t remember the name of the book because I read it so long ago, but it was full of Huey Long stories. He was hailed as a champion of the poor and reviled as a dictator. No one will ever hear political opposition out of me when that is done.”, All the King's Men is a fictional story by Robert Penn Warren, who created the character Willie Stark, who loosely resembles Long. 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. Long was revered by the masses as a champion of the common man and demonized by the powerful as a dangerous demagogue. From what I have read; very effective. Patronage will not change it. Comte, Natale M. (Aritist) H uey Long rose from ordinary beginnings in Winn Parish to become Louisiana’s most notable politicians. He was hailed as a champion of the poor and reviled as a dictator. This meant that the Democratic Party primary held on this date was the real contest over who would be governor. During his 1928 bid for Governor, Huey Long would adopt his iconic slogan “every man a king” that he took from a previous Louisiana populist politician, William Jennings Bryan. Huey’s revolutionary campaign and victory toppled the corrupt political establishment that had ruled since the French. The Earl K. Long Gymnasium at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Senator and favorite son. Courtesy of State Library of Louisiana. K.” Allen served as governor of Louisiana from 1932 to 1936, the first individual elected to this office after Huey P. Long’s resignation to serve in the US Senate. As Governor, he used strong-arm tactics to break political gridlock and cut red tape. Some of the individual … [19][20] George Sokolsky remembered having asked Long if he was a fascist. He was impeached in the House but avoided conviction in the Senate. Huey Long , nicknamed the "Kingfish", is an American politician, serving as a Senator from the State of Louisiana, and is leader of the populist America First Union Party.An outspoken populist, Long is best known for his Share Our Wealth program, and its motto "Every Man A King", that proposes new wealth redistribution measures aimed at revitalizing the working class in America. U.S. General Hugh Johnson described Long as "the Hitler of one of our sovereign states." Governor. Louisiana — and its politics — would never be the same. Except that last thing, about the Jews. Comte, Natale M. (Aritist) H uey Long rose from ordinary beginnings in Winn Parish to become Louisiana’s most notable politicians. Directed by Ron Shelton. Persecution will not change it. Born into an impoverished Louisiana family in 1893, Long would go on to set his sights on politics. A bright, inquisitive, and feisty child, he would grow to become the most famous – and audacious - public figure ever produced by the state of Louisiana. Alvin Olin King. 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. His fall came not from the triumph of constitutionalism and norms but from the hand of an assassin. 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. Huey Long's puppet; accused of signing everything put in front of him. 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. An assassin's bullet ended Long's life in 1935, but his followers managed to hold on to the governorship until 1940. Courtesy of Louisiana State Museum. Using a variety of sources, including personal interviews with the recent governors, they describe unforgettable personalities. >, Huey Long transformed the public's perception of the role of government in a democratic society. 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. Huey's son, Russell B. Earl Kemp Long (August 26, 1895 – September 5, 1960) was an American politician and the 45th Governor of Louisiana, serving three nonconsecutive terms. 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. "[10], Although conservatives labeled Long as a communist, legitimate American communists sought to distance themselves from Long and his Share Our Wealth program. 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. [25] In a 1935 interview, Long explained "A lot of guys would have been politically murdered for what I've been able to do quietly for the niggers. Branded a demagogue and radical by his opponents, and known 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, … “I would like to let you know that the school children grieve with you, at the passing of a wonderful friend.” Huey Long was a fiery and charismatic Louisiana politician who moved up the ranks at a young age. 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." “Fine,” Long told him in a conversation that took place less than a year before he was killed. [22], However, historian Glen Jeansonne argued that Long was "more racist, less unbiased, less principled, and less different from other Louisiana politicians of his time than the [historical] literature implies. Writer Robert Penn Warren described him as a "remarkable set of contradictions. He was hailed as a champion of the poor and reviled as a dictator. Walter Greaves Cowan and Jack B. McGuire, veteran authorities on the Louisiana political scene, trace the history of the state's leaders from the French and Spanish colonial eras to the present day. "[22] When asked how he would treat blacks if he were to become President, Long responded, "Treat them just the same as anybody else, give them an opportunity to make a living, and to get an education. [11], With the rise of fascism in 1930s Europe, many noted parallels to Long. 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. The early twentieth century saw the rise of Huey P. Long, who established himself as a virtual dictator. Read more recently discovered condolence letters received by Huey Long's widow. Lt. Huey's son, Russell B. Choose from 41 different sets of huey long history louisiana flashcards on Quizlet. Became the governor of Louisiana after King. [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. From Washington, Long continued to direct the Louisiana government. He's more than a Kaiserreich meme, and has left quite a lasting legacy.Support me on Patreon! In 1934 he began a reorganization of the state, which virtually abolished local government and gave Long the power to appoint all state employees. "[7], Despite claims from right-wing opponents, Long's program diverged significantly from Marxist communism. This, however, was not the case. 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. Louisiana's Huey Long rose to Governor and U.S. He would, however, grow bored of public school, convincing his teacher to advance him to the seventh grade. Read personal stories about Huey Long or share your own story. Communist writer Sender Garlin labelled him the "personification of the fascist menace in the United States," and noted that his swinging arm gestures were similar to those of Hitler. [3], During his lifetime, Long's political philosophy, particularly his Share Our Wealth program, was strongly criticized by more conservative politicians. "[15], Although often denounced as a fascist, Long was not anti-Semitic, nor any more anti-Communist than most politicians at the time. Louisiana's Huey Long rose to Governor and U.S. The former Louisiana governor Ruffin G. Pleasant, for instance, decried Long as "the 'ultra Socialist' whose views outreached 'Marx, Lenin, and Trotsky. Many historians also argue that Long's building projects and social reforms helped all of the lower classes in Louisiana, regardless of race. Huey Long began his career as a traveling salesman, displaying a knack for connecting with the common man, a skill he would later apply as a young attorney defending the disadvantaged. 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. He was the son of Huey Pierce Long, Sr. and was the seventh of nine children in a farm-owning middle-class family. A Louisiana physician who operated on Huey Long after he was shot in the Louisiana state capital. When asked about common comparisons between him and Adolf Hitler, Long replied "Don't compare with that so-and-so. Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. noted that "Long's political fantasies had no tensions, no conflicts, except of the most banal kind, no heroism or sacrifice, no compelling myths of class or race or nation. Blessed with a brilliant mind and photographic memory, Huey Long easily circumvented the many barriers to education in Louisiana and managed to become a lawyer without receiving a single diploma. ; the Louisiana State Archives; Louisiana State University (LSU) Libraries Special Collections, Baton Rouge; the State Library of Louisiana; and the Louisiana Historical Association. They feared that such a scheme was decidedly communist. Willie was only himself…”, Listen to "Thank God and Huey Long" by Louie Ludwig. "[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. 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. "[16] Several of Long's political and personal friends were Jews, such as Abraham Shushan and Seymour Weiss. Governor Huey P. Long. In 1948 his brother, Earl Long, brought the family back into power. Unidentified. Louisiana After Long – The Louisiana Scandals. September 10, 2015, was the 80th anniversary of Huey Long's death. He took Washington by storm as the most outspoken U.S. Senator.>, Huey Long launched a vast program of modernization and reform in Louisiana — building roads, bridges and vital infrastructure, providing free public education to children of all races, expanding LSU, expanding voting rights and healthcare, and lowering taxes on the poor majority.>, Huey Long believed that government should protect and uplift its most vulnerable citizens and provide opportunity for everyone, regardless of race or class. Long's proposed end to poverty by giving every family a minimum income of $5,000 a year. He was hailed as a champion of the poor and reviled as a dictator. [12] Journalist Raymond Gram Swing claimed that Long wished to "Hitlerize America". Long's brother, Earl K. Long, was elected as Governor of Louisiana in 1948. Again I can’t remember the name of the book because I read it so long ago, but it was full of Huey Long stories. 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. [8] When asked whether his plan was communist, Long replied: "Communism? News of Huey’s death made worldwide headlines, and an estimated 200,000 mourners attended his funeral. Long, Huey Pierce, 1893–1935, American ... but he did not take his seat until Jan., 1932, after he had assured the succession as governor of one of his own supporters. Alvin O. >. 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. "[2], Long expressed interest in authoritarianism; he was reportedly gripped by the idea that he was the reincarnated ego of Napoleon Bonaparte. "[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. "[23] Unlike many other southern demagogues, Long resisted associating himself with the Ku Klux Klan. When asked about his own philosophy, Long simply replied: "Oh, hell, say that I’m sui generis and let it go at that." That one is Huey Long, governor, governor-senator, and ultimately senator from Louisiana. — Dorothy Parta, age 12. 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. State of Louisiana. The 1928 election resulted in the election of Huey … 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. 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. Huey Long's political career ended on September 10, 1935 when he: Died after being shot by an assassin. 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. Poised to run for president on his “Share Our Wealth” platform, Long was assassinated in 1935 at the age of 42. "[30], "All the King's Men and Man of the Year: Simply Unserious". © 2009 Louie Ludwig, All Rights Reserved. Demagogue (n.) a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power. [1] While most say that Louisiana Governor and Senator Huey Long was a populist, little else can be agreed on. >, Huey Long was known as "the Kingfish", a take-charge problem solver who delivered immediate relief to the suffering and powerless. An Anti-Elite Message. Long also declined to support federal anti-lynching legislation: "Can't do the dead nigra no good. 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. Jimmie Davis reinstituted civil service for keeps during his second term, from 1960-1964. Huey Long was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1930, in a race cast as a referendum on his policies as governor. American fascist Lawrence Dennis described Long as "the nearest approach to a national fascist leader" in the United States. Long was revered by the masses as a champion of the common man and demonized by the powerful as a dangerous demagogue. 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. From an early age, it was evident that Huey Long was a true original. Mussolini [force-fed dissidents] castor oil; I’ll give them Tabasco, and then they’ll like Louisiana.” Then he laughed. He was a populist and got things done. 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. They believed his policies both preserved the capitalist enterprise and diverted interest away from their own party. Huey’s revolutionary campaign and victory toppled the corrupt political establishment that had ruled since the French. 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. Poised to run for president on his “Share Our Wealth” platform, Long was assassinated in 1935 at the age of 42. Some of Long's fiercest critics were prominent American communists, such as Sender Garlin and Alexander Bittelman. At age 25, Huey Long made a splash in Louisiana politics on the Louisiana Railroad Commission, fighting corporate monopolies and reducing utility rates. 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. The political views of Huey P. Long have presented historians and biographers with some difficulty. Huey Long (1893-1935) was Louisiana's legendary populist Governor, U.S. The elected lieutenant governor during the Huey Long gubernatorial administration who quarreled with Long for most of their tenure. 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. A number of black ministers organized Share Our Wealth club chapters. 21, 1928, Huey Long was the son of Huey P. Long 's hostile attitude to corporations not! 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