Why did the surprise court rule against the new deal programs

For the first two terms of Franklin Roosevelt's presidency, Roosevelt clashed with a conservative Supreme Court over his plans for the country's economic future.

Many believed at the time that much of Roosevelt's actions were unconstitutional and an impermissible expansion of the executive's power.

Roosevelt tried to respond to the Court denying him programs by trying to pack the Court.

Ultimately, court packing was unsuccessful but Roosevelt ended up getting the programs he wanted approved and the Court he wanted nominated.