An Enemy Until You Need A Friend: The Role of "Big Government" in American History

By

Steven Conn

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This anti-relief protest sign belonged to a farmer in Davenport, Iowa.

Protesting the New Deal

This anti-relief protest sign belonged to a farmer in Davenport, Iowa in disagreement with the New Deal relief program in 1940

Yelling protestor at health care reform meeting.

Picketing Against Health Care

Yelling protestor at health care reform meeting in West Hartford, Connecticut, 2009

Protestors gather outside of the 2012 National Republican Convention.

2012 Republican Convention

Protestors gather outside of the 2012 National Republican Convention as part of "Occupy Tampa 2012"

Supporters rally around Presidential hopeful Barry Goldwater.

Barry Goldwater

Supporters rally around Presidential hopeful Barry Goldwater in 1964 - the father of today's anti-government politics

This car in Columbus, Kansas, supported the Townsend plan.

Townsend Plan

This car in Columbus, Kansas, supported the Townsend plan, pushing FDR to create a nationwide pension plan for the elderly

The 'last spike' was hit in 1885.

"The Last Spike" The Union Pacific & Central Pacific Railroads

The "last spike" was hit in 1885, joining the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads, to connect the nation by train

Theodore Roosevelt.

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt believed that “this country belongs to the people,” and the job of the federal government was to protect individuals from “corrupt business and corrupt politics"

The Post Office Department.

The Post Office Department

The Postal Act of 1792 established a very important early federal agency

This poster advertised for FDR's Social Security Plan.

FDR's Social Security

This poster advertised for FDR's Social Security Plan, 1935

Rand Paul speaking.

Rand Paul

Paul speaks on how big government has failed to Tea Party Express supporters in Austin, Texas (2012)

A poster highlighting the employment opportunities and activities created by the New Deal's WPA.

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

A poster highlighting the employment opportunities and activities created by the New Deal's WPA.

Alf Landon.

Alf Landon

Alf Landon, Governor of Kansas, ran unsuccessfully against FDR in 1936, promising to repeal Social Security

From left to right: FDR, Governor James Allred, LBJ.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson

The New Deal inspired Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society in the 1960s (from left to right: FDR, Governor James Allred, LBJ [May, 1937])

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Medicare Bill.

Medicare Bill

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Medicare Bill in 1965

The David H. Koch Theater.

The David H. Koch Theater

Formerly the New York State Theater, this facility was renamed in light of a $100 million pledge from David Koch

Republican running mates during the 2012 election rally in Norfolk, Virginia.

Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan

Republican running mates during the 2012 election rally in Norfolk, Virginia

Alexander Hamilton.

Alexander Hamilton

Hamilton's name went on the first major piece of U.S. legislation to intervene in the economy and raise taxes: The Hamilton Tariff of 1789

Barack Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The Affordable Care Act

Barack Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at the White House in 2010

Glenn Beck.

Glenn Beck

Beck delivers his religiously themed speech at a "Restoring Honor" rally in 2010

Senator (R-Maine) and past Secretary of Defense William Cohen.

William Cohen

Senator (R-Maine) and past Secretary of Defense, Cohen (pictured here with President Clinton) once famously said "government is the enemy until you need a friend"

John and Marget Bakken and their two children in front of their sod house.

The Homestead Act

A Milton, North Dakota, photographer took this picture of John and Marget Bakken and their two children, Tilda and Eddie, in front of their sod house in Milton in 1898

Theodore Roosevelt Dam.

Theodore Roosevelt Dam

The Newlands Reclamation Act of 1902 created massive and expensive irrigation projects, like the Theodore Roosevelt Dam (1911) which provided a constant water supply to Phoenix, Arizona

This flag is named after Christopher Gadsden.

Gadsden Flag

This flag is named after Christopher Gadsden, American general and statesman, who designed it during the American Revolution in 1775

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Cite this Site

Steven Conn , "An Enemy Until You Need A Friend: The Role of "Big Government" in American History" , Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective

October, 2014

https://origins.osu.edu/article/enemy-until-you-need-friend-role-big-government-american-history.