Lochner Era and Substantive Due Process

Definition

The Lochner Era refers to a period in U.S. constitutional history from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, characterized by the Supreme Court's use of substantive due process to strike down economic regulation laws. This era is named after the landmark case 'Lochner v. New York,' where the Court ruled that a state law limiting bakery workers' hours violated their right to freely contract, emphasizing individual liberties over government intervention in the economy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Lochner Era is marked by a series of Supreme Court decisions that invalidated laws regulating working conditions and hours, emphasizing economic freedom and laissez-faire principles.
2. The era began with 'Lochner v. New York' in 1905, where the Court held that labor regulations interfered with the right to contract freely.
3. During this time, the Court often used the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause to protect economic rights rather than personal liberties.
4. The Lochner Era effectively ended in the 1930s as the Supreme Court began to uphold New Deal legislation and shift towards recognizing the government's role in regulating economic affairs.
5. Critics argue that substantive due process during this period disproportionately favored business interests over workers' rights and social justice.

Review Questions

• How did the Supreme Court’s interpretation of substantive due process during the Lochner Era reflect broader economic philosophies of the time?
  • During the Lochner Era, the Supreme Court's interpretation of substantive due process reflected a strong belief in laissez-faire economics and individual liberty. By prioritizing the right to freely contract over state regulations on working conditions, the Court aligned with prevailing economic philosophies that resisted government intervention in the market. This interpretation not only shaped labor laws but also set a precedent for how individual rights were viewed in relation to economic freedoms during this period.
• In what ways did the decisions made during the Lochner Era influence future legal interpretations of economic regulation?
  • The decisions made during the Lochner Era significantly influenced future legal interpretations by establishing a precedent where economic regulations were frequently challenged under substantive due process claims. The emphasis on individual rights, especially in terms of contract freedoms, led to a cautious approach in drafting legislation aimed at worker protections. However, as societal values evolved and pressures from movements advocating for workers' rights grew, subsequent courts began to reconsider these principles, paving the way for more balanced approaches toward economic regulation.
• Evaluate how the end of the Lochner Era and the subsequent shift towards New Deal policies represented a transformation in judicial attitudes toward government regulation.
  • The end of the Lochner Era marked a significant transformation in judicial attitudes toward government regulation, as courts began to recognize the necessity of state intervention in addressing social and economic crises like the Great Depression. With cases involving New Deal policies, judges shifted from a strict adherence to substantive due process protecting economic rights to a more flexible approach that acknowledged government responsibility in promoting welfare and economic stability. This transition indicated a broader acceptance of regulatory measures aimed at balancing individual freedoms with collective needs, ultimately reshaping American constitutional law.

Related terms

Substantive Due Process:

A constitutional doctrine that protects certain fundamental rights from government interference, asserting that the government's regulation of personal liberties must not only follow legal procedures but also respect individuals' rights.

Police Power: The capacity of the state to regulate behaviors and enforce order within its territory for the betterment of health, safety, morals, and general welfare of its inhabitants.

New Deal: A series of programs and reforms implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, aimed at economic recovery and social reform, which often challenged the principles established during the Lochner Era.