15. After his landslide reelection in 1936, Franklin D. Roosevelt unsuccessfully attempted to push which of the following initiatives through the United States Congress?
Answer: C
Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to push for an increase in the number of Supreme Court justices.
After his landslide reelection in 1936, Franklin D. Roosevelt sought to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court, a move often referred to as his "court-packing" plan. This initiative was aimed at securing favorable rulings for his New Deal programs but faced significant opposition and was ultimately unsuccessful.
A) Immediate United States intervention in the European war
This option is incorrect as Roosevelt did not attempt to intervene in the European war immediately after his reelection in 1936. The United States remained neutral until the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and Roosevelt focused on domestic issues rather than foreign military involvement at that time.
B) The repeal of antilynching legislation
This choice is also incorrect. Roosevelt did not actively push for the repeal of antilynching legislation; rather, he faced criticism for not supporting such legislation more vigorously. His administration did not prioritize this issue, reflecting the complex social dynamics of the era.
C) Increasing the number of Supreme Court justices
This option is correct as Roosevelt's attempt to increase the number of Supreme Court justices was a significant and controversial initiative after his 1936 reelection. He proposed this plan in response to the Court's rulings against several New Deal measures, aiming to secure a more favorable judicial environment for his policies.
D) Establishing the Civilian Conservation Corps and other New Deal agencies
This option is incorrect because the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and other New Deal agencies were already established prior to his 1936 reelection. Roosevelt's focus was on defending and expanding these existing programs rather than creating new ones in this context.
Conclusion
The attempt to increase the number of Supreme Court justices is the only initiative listed that Roosevelt actively pursued after his reelection in 1936. The other options either reflect initiatives he did not support or were already in place, underscoring the unique and contentious nature of the court-packing plan during this period of his presidency.