Why did Governor Talmadge oppose the New Deal?

Governor Eugene Talmadge's opposition to the New Deal stemmed primarily from his belief that the programs represented an infringement of federal authority into state governance. He viewed the New Deal initiatives as a method by which the federal government sought to exert control over local matters and diminish the autonomy of state governments. This perspective was particularly significant during the period, as many Southern leaders were concerned about the overreach of federal powers and the implications it had for their respective states' rights and governance.

Talmadge's position highlights a broader struggle in American politics during the era, where many local leaders feared that the New Deal's programs would centralize power in Washington, D.C. and undermine local decision-making. Thus, his opposition was based on a philosophical commitment to state governance and an apprehension about federal involvement in affairs that he believed should be managed at the state level.