What significant impact did the Gallup Poll have regarding public opinion towards the New Deal in 1935?

The Gallup Poll conducted in 1935 revealed that a significant portion of the American public, specifically 60%, believed that the government was spending too much on the New Deal programs. This finding is crucial in understanding the sentiments and attitudes toward President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal initiatives during that time. While Roosevelt initially garnered widespread support for his efforts to combat the Great Depression, this poll reflected a growing concern among citizens regarding government expenditures.

The results indicated a shift in public opinion; rather than an uncritical acceptance of government intervention, there was an emerging skepticism about the scale of spending and its effectiveness. This sentiment suggested that not all Americans were aligned with the vision of an active government role in economic recovery, pointing to a complex dynamic in public attitudes toward Roosevelt's policies. Such public opinion data can influence political strategies and the future direction of economic policy, highlighting the importance of polling as a tool to gauge societal attitudes.