Throughout history, there has been no greater example of the power of radio than Father Charles Coughlin's radio show of the Depression-Era 1900s. Although his show started as a weekly sermon, touching on aspects of God and family and mostly catering to children and young adults, it quickly became evident that Coughlin had a mind for politics, and a tongue without a filter. He began expressing forward views on America's social reform.
Coughlin was outspoken against many atrocities in his own country – including the Ku Klux Klan who planned to "punish" Coughlin for his brazen speech – but it was the Soviet Union that bore the brunt of the Father's fury. Coughlin stated that the communist government had purposely made a divorce easy and that this idea of an anti-family was quickly making its way to the states. He referred to this as the "Bolshevism of America."
Father Coughlin was also very much opposed to socialism, communism, Marxism, and any other similar political ideology that put the power of the people into the hands of the government. He firmly believed that the best way to combat this flawed way of thinking was to implement policies of new social reform and overall equality. It was not only communism that Coughlin stood against, however; he was also a denouncer of Big Business and industrialism – what we know today as capitalism.
Concentrating the wealth in the hands of the few, though fiscally viable for the few, is detrimental to the many. Believing this wholeheartedly, Coughlin set out to put an end to the vicious cycle of greed which he blamed for the Great Depression, the dissolution of the American family, and war and hate mongering. By 1930, Coughlin had earned a reputation for being one of the country's foremost authorities on anti-communism, and was invited by Hamilton Fish to appear before the House of Representatives to investigate communist activities.
Coughlin, never one to shy away from a crowd, accepted the invitation and proceeded to criticize leftist groups in America. However, Coughlin also seized the opportunity and harshly criticized Henry Ford and other leading industrialists, citing that their greed was the downfall of a nation.
Support of FDR turns to Disdain and Anti-semistism
In 1932, Coughlin put his support in Franklin D. Roosevelt, and supported his "New Deal." Within two years, Coughlin's steadfast support turned to dedicated disdain, and he began urging Roosevelt to stray from the capitalist structure and establish a Central Bank. During this period, Coughlin became involved in many trade unions, fighting for automotive workers' rights, and insisting that veterans from the First World War be given compensation.
Coughlin would soon completely turn his back on Roosevelt, forming the National Union of Social Justice, publishing a newspaper (Social Justice Weekly), and eventually joining the Christian Front. His views continued against communism and the dangers involved. He began blaming the Jewish people for Marxism and even claimed that the Nazi Government was a necessary defense against the Soviet Union. Eventually, Coughlin became known as simply "anti-government," and even "anti-American."