SC+P6+2013+Huey+Long

=Aim - Dylan Lewis =

At the time of Huey Long’s upbringing, his hometown of Louisiana was famous for great injustice and instability. Long’s family, while poor, had provided him with a comfortable, secure upbringing that would allow him to fully develop as an individual. Even so, Long was still fully aware of the misfortune that had plagued the families of his friends. Nevertheless, the unfortunate reality of his peers provided him with a direction through which to devote his time and care, as Long’s official website emphasized, “With a modicum of formal education, a dab of experience, and a sense of urgency, Huey charged into politics on a mission to help the poor” (“Life & Times”). Long’s predisposition granted him with much more potential to affect change on the society around him. Naturally, he saw politics as the most promising route to assist less fortunate individuals on a vast scale. By 1928, Long had become governor of Louisiana, making thorough use of his powers to improve the quality of living within his hometown, as detailed by the U.S. Survey Course, “He ruled Louisiana as a virtual dictator, but he also initiated massive public works programs, improved public education and public health, and even established some restrictions on corporate power in the state” (“Share the Wealth”). As overreaching as his actions were, they were all done in the interest of improving the lives of individuals within Louisiana with immense success. When examining Long’s actions as a politician, it becomes clear that his purpose was to make a noble use of his fortunate predisposition to improve the lives of less fortunate individuals. Despite his absurd usage of powers, what matters is that it was all carried out in the name of advancing humanitarian efforts.

__Works Cited __ Lanset, Andy. ""Share the Wealth": Huey Long Talks to the Nation." Historymatters.gmu. W.K. Kellogg Foundation, n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

"Life & Times – Introduction." Hueylong.com. Cdf Web Solutions, 2010. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

=Historical - Jim Fagan =

Huey Long was Louisiana’s populist Govenor and Senator. “[My voice] cannot be changed while people suffer. The only way it can be changed is to make the lives of these people decent and respectable. No one will ever hear political opposition out of me when that is done” (Long). Born in 1893, Huey Long was a bright and inquisitive child. Long’s photographic memory allowed him to easily circumvent the barriers of education and became a lawyer without receiving a diploma. At 25 he joined the Louisiana Railroad Commission fighting corporate monopolies and reducing utility rates. This success led him to run for and get elected as the Governor of Louisiana in 1928. After defeating the corrupt state legislature that previously led he launched a program to build the state’s infrastructure and provided education and economic opportunity. As a referendum to his policies as governor, Long was elected to the US Senate in 1930. He became a national force with his “Share Our Wealth” campaign. Huey Long’s “Share our Wealth” swept the nation and he was poised to run for president in 1936 against Franklin Roosevelt. In order to steal some of Long’s thunder, Roosevelt adoped some Huey’s ideas while also working to discredit him. On September 8th, 1935, Long was shot by Dr Carl Weiss, the relative of a political enemy, in the state capitol. An estimated 200,000 came to mourn the death of Louisiana’s favorite son.

__Works Cited__ "Huey Long." Huey Long's Life & Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

"Huey Long." Social Security. N.p., 3 Jan. 2013. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

=Cultural - Brian Crossett =

Huey Long was a governor and senator of Louisiana who wanted to make sure that everyone not only the rich would be able to live happy and fulfilling lives. “Long was revered by the masses as a champion of the common man and demonized by the powerful as a dangerous demagogue” (hueylong.com). Long was known as being against corporate greed and government incompetence and was not afraid to let the public know about his views. He wanted to make sure that the common man would be taken care of not just the big wigs up top who where running the show. In 1934 he even told his Share The Wealth plan over a radio broadcast where he wanted to take America’s wealth and spread it amongst the it’s citizens. Since this was happening during the great depression most of America was in the financial hole and this guy seemed like the way out. He gave hope to a troubled and poor nation, he reminded the people that there are people in government who care about the people. He was a symbol for the common man a symbol for the American dream, a symbol of a better future.

__Works Cited __ "Huey Long Official Website | Biography, Quotes, Photos, Speeches." Huey Long Official Website |

Biography, Quotes, Photos, Speeches. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

"Huey P. Long." Huey P. Long. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.