Franklin Delano Roosevelt pursued policies of economic stimulus that would today be considered socialistic, while also recognizing the legitimacy of the Soviet government and allying with Russia in World War 2. How did he avoid accusations of being a communist?

by Vladith

Throughout his eight years as president, conservative detractors have accused Barack Obama of being a socialist due the passage of the Affordable Care Act, a staunchly private-sector piece of legislation that did not include any legitimately socialized healthcare.

Franklin Roosevelt's policies would be almost unthinkable today, especially his massive tax increases and major public works projects to stimulate the depressed economy. These policies are certainly much more "socialist" than any that Obama has seen through, and the decision to affirm the legitimacy of the Soviet government would also be quite radical today. Was FDR considered a "closet communist" by many 1930s conservatives?

bobboboran

The Communist scare didn't happen in the US until after FDR had died, when the Soviets (and China) became the USA's primary adversaries. Prior to that the activities of socialists/anarchists/communists in the US were seen more as a radical fringe without a core base of power.

However, according do Major General Smedley Butler, in 1933 there was a plot by a group of powerful business men who were concerned with FDR's socialistic tendencies,to stage a Fascist military coup and unseat FDR by force. The so-called Business Plot must be one of the most incredible and little-known episodes in US history.