KS4 History Lesson Plan
The Election of FDR
Lesson provided by Roy Huggins
Background
The reasons for Franklin D. Roosevelt’s (FDR) landslide victory in the 1932 presidential
election are a key focus in several Modern World History GCSE syllabuses. However,
students often get confused with some of the more challenging concepts that surround
both the political ideas of Democrats and Republicans, as well as the motivations and
appeal of both FDR and Herbert Hoover. The activities detailed below offer an interactive
approach that some students may find more engaging, helping them understand why FDR
won the 1932 presidential election with a landslide victory.
Aim
The primary aim of this lesson is to develop students’ understanding of why FDR won
the 1932 presidential election. In order to achieve this outcome they must understand the
differences between the Republican and Democratic political ideals, as well as the different
approaches that Hoover and FDR intended to take in order to solve the Depression. It is
assumed that students have prior knowledge of the causes and impact of the Depression.
The activity
Starter: Begin with a snowballing activity of the key words to be used in the lesson. Key
words could include: Republican, Democrat, rugged individualism, government action,
Hoovervilles, laissez-faire, pump priming. These are displayed on the board for two
minutes. They are then covered up whilst the class writes down as many words as they
can remember. Students are then given one minute to share their answers with their
neighbours before asking them to peer- or self-assess their answers. Before moving onto
the main activities, test students’ understanding of the key words by asking a few targeted
questions.
In order to help students understand the different political ideas of Hoover and FDR,
use the presentation ‘Unit 8, The Election of FDR part 2’ from Boardworks KS4 History,
USA 1919–1941 along with a relevant textbook. Display slide 3 (free to download)
getting students to click on the relevant boxes and making notes to help them compare
and contrast the different ideas and backgrounds of Hoover and FDR. During the
class feedback, it is critical that students understand why Hoover believed in ‘rugged
individualism’ and FDR in ‘government action’. Depending upon the amount of time
available, it might help students to understand these ideas by relating them to a modern
context, debating current attitudes towards welfare reform during our own financial crisis.
Once students are able to compare and contrast the ideas and attitudes of FDR and
Hoover, move on to looking at how successful Hoover’s policies were at dealing with the
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KS4 History Lesson Plan
The Election of FDR
Great Depression in the USA, and the impact that they
had on his popularity. Once again, the current debate
on the government cuts and its impact on the spiral
of depression can lead to some interesting class
discussions, helping students relate what they
have learnt to a modern context, whilst improving
their own understanding of the problems facing
the USA in the 1930s. To help facilitate this
discussion, have students spend two minutes
writing down five facts, or examples to explain
what is meant by the term ‘consumer confidence’,
before spending another two minutes sharing
their results with their neighbours and, finally,
in a class discussion. Then ask them to produce
their own version of slide 2 (free to download) on the
consequences of Hoover’s policies.
FREE
sample material
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Unit 8, The
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Election of
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slide 3
As a consolidation exercise, use the activity on slide 3 to test students’ understanding of
the similarities and differences between Hoover and FDR. Follow this by using slides 4
and 5 (both free to download) to look at the results of the election and to focus discussion
around FDR’s inaugural speech. Integral to focusing student attention on the different aims
of FDR’s presidency in comparison with Hoover’s, is an analysis of key quotes from FDR’s
inaugral speech. For example, what he sees as the causes of
the depression – ‘the only thing we have to fear is fear itself’
– and how he intends to tackle it by restoring confidence
with such phrases as ‘action, and action now’. Students
need to learn and understand these quotes as they
underpin the rest of the course, as well as how FDR
tries to reverse the spiral of depression.
Outcomes
By teaching the lesson in this way students are
able to apply the knowledge that they acquire in an
interactive and engaging manner, enhancing their
overall understanding. They are given opportunities to
discuss, share and assess their ideas. I usually follow
up this lesson by completing a past-paper question,
giving students an opportunity to self- and peer-assess
using student mark schemes.
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Or
Boardworks Ltd
The Gallery
54 Marston Street
Oxford, OX4 1LF
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r FR
You
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Unit 8, The
Election of
FDR part 2
,
slide 5
Samp
le D
isc
t: 0845 0 300 400
f: 0845 0 300 200
[email protected]
www.boardworks.co.uk