Why did radical political groups gain support in the early 1930s?
Given the economic collapse at the time, it is surprising that more radical groups did not gain a foothold in the American public and political landscape. A few radical ideas, like those of Father Coughlin and Huey Long and Dr. Francis Townsend attracted some attention, but most of the people were confident that FDR would help bring the nation out of the Depression. Also, there was no dramatic increase in the membership of the Socialist Party or the Communist Party. It appeared that the people were sure our system of government and the economic system of capitalism would succeed.
