Final answer:
FDR repealed Prohibition in 1933 by supporting the Twenty-First Amendment, a decision influenced by the negative consequences of the Eighteenth Amendment and the need for economic relief during the Great Depression. The repeal falls within the context of FDR's New Deal, which aimed to revitalize the economy and was met with mixed Supreme Court responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the notable laws that President Franklin D. Roosevelt repealed following his election was the Eighteenth Amendment, which established Prohibition. Prohibition was repealed in 1933 with the ratification of the Twenty-First Amendment, primarily because it had led to numerous unintended negative consequences, such as a rise in organized crime, difficulties in law enforcement, and a general disregard for the law by the public. Additionally, the economic turmoil of the Great Depression helped to solidify public support for repeal, as legalizing alcohol would generate much-needed tax revenue and employment opportunities.
The context of the repeal falls within FDR's broader agenda during the Great Depression when he initiated a series of legislative proposals known as the New Deal. These proposals aimed to revitalize the economy and expand the role of the federal government, although they faced challenges, including Supreme Court decisions that reversed several New Deal measures. Despite these setbacks, the Court later upheld many New Deal provisions, indicating a shift in public opinion and legal interpretation that allowed for greater federal intervention during times of economic crisis.
In contrasting focus, FDR also proposed the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937, or what became known as his "court-packing scheme". While not a repeal, this controversial plan aimed to expand the Supreme Court and was largely seen as an attempt to increase Roosevelt's influence over the judiciary and ensure smoother passage of his legislative agenda. This bill was ultimately unsuccessful and is remembered as one of the most contentious aspects of his presidency.