Mrs. Ruland's U.S. History Class Project
Father Charles Coughlin - The Radio Priest
Adam and Kyle
Charles E. Coughlin (1891-1979) was a Catholic priest and a prominent figure on the radio, during the 1930's. During the beginning of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency Coughlin was an avid supporter of the Democratic president's views on reform. Later in the 1930's he changed to be a major critic of FDR. His national radio show criticizing Jewish people and FDR averaged 3.5 million listeners a week. His hatred of Jews led to American Jews trying to get him off the air. This was unsuccessful because of his popularity in the Christian community, especially with the Bishop of Detroit. His argument against WWII, even after Pearl Harbor, was his downfall. However he still goes down in history as one of the important activists of the 1930’s.
Fun Fact: At one point during the 1930's Father Coughlin was receiving more mail then FDR!
Social Security Online History Pages
This web site outlines the beliefs of Coughlin and provides insight on what Coughlin believed throughout the 1930's. This web site also has audio and textual extracts from some of Father Coughlin's most famous speeches.
This web site is a good web site for people that want more information on his life. Has information on everything from his personal life to his views during the 1930's and 1940's.
Facing the Corporate Roots of American Fascism
This web page illustrates how Coughlin was involved in a conspiracy against FDR and a failed coup to end his Presidency. It was written by Richard Sanders, Editor of Press for Conversion! a quarterly Canadian magazine covering a broad range of global topics. It is very interesting and useful if information about his support for fascism and anti-communist is needed.
Between the Wars-The Radio Priest
This web page has a clip showing one of Coughlin's original speeches from the 1930's. It is easy to see how passionate Coughlin was in his views against the New Deal and why he had so many followers listing to his radio show. This page also has text showing his speeches in detail and shows what he was trying to convey in his speeches.
Reverend Charles E. Coughlin (1891-1979)
Labeled as America and the Holocaust, this site is a branch off of the main PBS web site This shows how Coughlin used an it-semitic messages to haunt the Jews in America and he is labeled as the hero of Nazi Germany.
This Jewish based site shows how Coughlin was influenced by Fascism. It also shows how and why the Jews tried to ban Coughlin from giving his speeches over the radio. It outlines why they were unsuccessful in their attempt.
“Somebody Must be Blamed”: Father Coughlin Speaks to the Nation
This web site above is a complete speech from Coughlin. The speech is one of his most famous regarding capitalism and his views on the issue. It also gives insight on the speech in a separate paragraph.
Father Charles Edward Coughlin (1891-1971)
This site outlines a plan that Coughlin had to invade Mexico to protect the Catholic Church from harassment. It also shows Coughlin's life and where his views derived from- Hitler and Mussolini. There is also articles telling what other Catholic Priests thought of Coughlin and his racist views.
Father Coughlin - A 1930's Messiah
A fantastic picture-diary of Charles Coughlin's life, from his birth to his death in 1979. The pictures are in both color and black and white. Alongside the pictures are summaries of his beliefs and aspects of his personal life. This site is good if you are looking for images of the time period or a portrait of Coughlin.
Charles Edward Coughlin - Wikipedia
Provides information on his early broadcasts, anti-semitism, the cancellation of his radio station and references in popular culture. The highlight of this page is the list of outside sources. The list is very helpful in compiling useful and interesting information about Father Coughlin.
*Disclaimer - Wikipedia is a user input site that can be manipulated to say whatever the user wants. It is however checked for accuracy and can be very useful.
Last updated March 28, 2008
© Marcella Ruland 1998-2008, All rights reserved
