What was a primary reason some businessmen opposed the New Deal?

Some businessmen opposed the New Deal primarily because it interfered with the free market and enterprise. The New Deal, initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, involved significant government intervention in the economy, which many business leaders perceived as an infringement on capitalism. They argued that the various programs and regulations introduced, such as price controls, labor rights protections, and the establishment of agencies that regulated various industries, undermined their ability to operate freely and make economic decisions without government involvement.

This view was rooted in the belief that a self-regulating market would naturally correct itself and that government intervention would lead to inefficiencies and reduced incentives for innovation and growth. Thus, the opposition from businessmen was driven by concerns that these policies would stifle competition and lead to a more centralized economic control, which they viewed as contrary to the principles of a free market economy.