Florida US History EOC Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Resource

Roosevelt's 'court packing' plan proposed expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court, specifically suggesting that the president could appoint an additional justice for every sitting justice over the age of 70. This was aimed at addressing what Roosevelt perceived as a conservative Supreme Court that was obstructing his New Deal policies. The intention behind this proposal was to secure a majority of justices who would be more favorable to his legislative agenda. By increasing the size of the Court, Roosevelt hoped to reduce the influence of the older, more traditional justices, and it was seen as a way to maneuver around judicial opposition to his reforms. This plan was highly controversial and met with significant criticism, ultimately leading to its failure, but it is a noteworthy reflection of the tensions between the branches of government during that era.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the details of Roosevelt's proposal. The second option about reducing presidential influence over Congress does not align with Roosevelt's goal of increasing control over the judiciary. The third option regarding limiting judicial review misrepresents the plan's aim since it focused on the composition of the Court rather than its powers. The fourth option of overhauling the entire judicial system is broader than Roosevelt's specific proposal, which was concentrated on the