The Rise and Fall of Father Coughlin

This chapter chronicles the political journey of Father Charles Coughlin, a Roman Catholic priest turned influential radio broadcaster during the late 1920s and 1930s. It highlights his initial popularity inspired by social justice themes, his eventual alignment with far-right ideologies, and the profound impact of his populist messages on American politics. As Coughlin's controversial rhetoric emerges amid the pressures of the Great Depression and global tensions, his decline from national prominence underscores the shifting landscape of radio broadcasting and political discourse.