Reconsidering Roosevelt on Race : How the Presidency Paved the Road to Brown

Many have questioned FDR's record on race, suggesting that he had the opportunity but not the will to advance the civil rights of African Americans. Kevin J. McMahon challenges this view, arguing instead that Roosevelt's administration played a crucial role in the Supreme Court's increasing commitment to racial equality—which culminated in its landmark decision in __Brown v. Board of Education__. McMahon shows how FDR's attempt to strengthen the presidency and undermine the power of conservative Southern Democrats dovetailed with his efforts to seek racial equality through the federal courts. By appointing a majority of rights-based liberals deferential to presidential power, Roosevelt ensured that the Supreme Court would be receptive to civil rights claims, especially when those claims had the support of the executive branch.

Many have questioned FDR's record on race, suggesting that he had the opportunity but not the will to advance the civil rights of African Americans. Kevin J. McMahon challenges this view, arguing instead that Roosevelt's administration played a crucial role in the Supreme Court's increasing commitment to racial equality—which culminated in its landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education.

McMahon shows how FDR's attempt to strengthen the presidency and undermine the power of conservative Southern Democrats dovetailed with his efforts to seek racial equality through the federal courts. By appointing a majority of rights-based liberals deferential to presidential power, Roosevelt ensured that the Supreme Court would be receptive to civil rights claims, especially when those claims had the support of the executive branch.

Richard E. Neustadt Award

Winner of the 2005 Richard E. Neustadt Book Award for the best book on the Presidency

Mcmahon Demonstrates How Fdr's Goals Of Constructing A Stronger Presidency And Undermining The Power Of Conservative Southern Democrats Dovetailed With His Administration's Efforts To Seek Racial Equality Through The Federal Courts. Introduction : The Day They Drove Old Dixie Down -- The Incongruities Of Reform : Rights-centered Liberalism And Legal Realism In The Early New Deal Years -- Fdr's Constitutional Vision And The Defeat Of The Court-packing Plan : The Modern Presidency And The Enemies Of Institutional Reform -- Approving Legislation For The People, Preserving Liberties--almost Rewriting Laws : The Politics Of Creating The Roosevelt Court -- A Constitutional Purge : Southern Democracy, Lynch Law, And The Roosevelt Justice Department -- The Commitment Continues : Truman, Eisenhower, And The Civil Rights Decisions -- Conclusion : The Road The Court Trod. Kevin J. Mcmahon. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 269-285) And Index. Many have questioned FDR's record on race, suggesting that he had the opportunity but not the will to advance the civil rights of African Americans. Kevin J. McMahon challenges this view, arguing instead that Roosevelt's administration played a crucial role in the Supreme Court's increasing commitment to racial equality -- which culminated in its landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education.McMahon shows how FDR's attempt to strengthen the presidency and undermine the power of conservative Southern Democrats dovetailed with his efforts to seek racial equality through the federal courts. By appointing a majority of rights-centered liberals deferential to presidential power, Roosevelt ensured that the Supreme Court would be receptive to civil rights claims, especially when those claims had the support of the executive branch. The day they drove old Dixie down The incongruities of reform : rights-centered liberalism and legal realism in the early New Deal years FDR's constitutional vision and the defeat of the court-packing plan : the modern presidency and the enemies of institutional reform Approving legislation for the people, preserving liberties almost rewriting laws : the politics of creating the Roosevelt court A constitutional purge : Southern democracy, lynch law, and the Roosevelt Justice Department The commitment continues : Truman, Eisenhower, and the civil rights decisions The road the court trod. "Shocked." That was the word Governor James "Jimmy" Byrnes of South Carolina used to describe his reaction to the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education.