What did the first revisionist interpretation of the New Deal consider to be a major problem not highlighted by previous scholarship?

The first revisionist interpretation of the New Deal, which emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, placed significant emphasis on the shortcomings and limitations of the New Deal policies. In particular, this perspective highlighted how the New Deal failed to adequately address the needs of certain groups, particularly African Americans and farmers. Unlike earlier interpretations that often praised Franklin D. Roosevelt's initiatives as sweeping reforms to uplift the nation, revisionists argued that many New Deal programs perpetuated existing racial inequalities and did not substantially alleviate the plight of the rural poor.

One major problem that revisionists pointed out was the lack of attention to the systemic issues of racial discrimination that affected African Americans, who were frequently excluded from benefits provided by New Deal programs. Moreover, they criticized the way in which New Deal policies often favored Southern Democrats, leading to a reinforcement of the existing power structures that marginalized these groups.

These historians questioned the effectiveness of the New Deal in fostering true social equity and suggested that the reforms were more an effort to stabilize capitalism rather than a genuine attempt to reform society fundamentally. This reinterpretation opened up further discussion about social justice and economic inequality during this pivotal time in American history.