3rd Grade
Franklin Roosevelt
Issue 3.7
The 1930s were tough times for many Americans. At the peak of the Great Depression, almost 25% of
American workers were unemployed, so when people went to the polls in 1932, they were looking for a
presidential candidate who could solve the problems facing the US economy. They elected Franklin
Delano Roosevelt who promised a “New Deal” for the struggling country. Though Roosevelt suffered from
the crippling disease of polio, he was an unstoppable force as president of the US for the next 13 years.
In the first three months of Roosevelt’s term, know as the “Hundred Days,” Congress passed more
important legislation than any other session of Congress in United States history. During these first
“Hundred Days” and throughout his presidency, Roosevelt turned to experts to help him make important
decisions. Among these experts was the last individual we studied, Mary McLeod Bethune, who advised
Roosevelt on minority and interracial affairs.
Roosevelt’s plan to bring the country out of the Great Depression was called the New Deal. A major
part of this plan was work relief. The government planned major projects and hired the unemployed to
complete them. Because of the work relief programs, new roads, schools, libraries, dams, and bridges were
built throughout the country. The New Deal also included many reform laws. Banking deposits were
insured, import tariffs were lowered to encourage trade, and the Social Security Act established pensions for
retired workers. The New Deal was a success, leading Roosevelt to win his campaign for reelection in 1936.
At this time, there was no term limit for presidents, and as a result of a developing world crisis,
which would soon explode into World War II, Roosevelt was reelected for his third term in 1940. At the
start of World War II, the US chose to stay isolated, but the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December,
1941 forced the country to join the Allies in battling the Axis Powers in both Europe and the Pacific. The
next three years of war forced Roosevelt to make many difficult decisions and brought great stresses.
In 1945, after being elected to his fourth term as president, Roosevelt died at his home in Warm
Springs, Georgia, less than a month before the Allied Powers achieved victory in Europe.
Though he did not live to see this, it was his powerful leadership that guided the
country through these trying times.
discuss the importance of Franklin Roosevelt
in guiding the United States through the
Great Depression and World War II.
explain Roosevelt’s plans for the New Deal.
explain the obstacles that Roosevelt had to
overcome and how he overcame them.
locate Washington, DC and Warm Springs,
Georgia on a map of the United States.
describe how Franklin Roosevelt displayed
the character traits of cooperation, diligence,
liberty, justice, tolerance, freedom of
conscience and expression, and respect for
and acceptance of authority.
1) Government-sponsored work relief programs
were important to Franklin Roosevelt because he
A. liked lifting spirits in radio broadcasts.
B. wanted to put people to work in hard
times.
C. wanted the US to win World War II.
D. enjoyed traveling around the country ,
visiting dams.
2) Roosevelt overcame all of the challenges
below EXCEPT
A. not being able to walk.
B. growing up without enough to eat.
C. leading the U.S.
through war.
D. leading the U.S.
through a depression.
Great Depression – a period in United States history during which the economy was so
weak that many people were unemployed
Unemployment – the measure of the number of workers who want to work but do not have jobs
Legislation – laws enacted by Congress
Presidential Term – the period of time during which a president serves
World War II – fought from 1939-1945 in Europe, Africa, and the Pacific between the Allied and
Axis Powers
Cooperation – working together with others
Diligence – working hard for a long time to accomplish a goal
Unscramble the tiles to reveal a message. This is something Franklin Roosevelt said in his first inaugural
address, and it is one of the most famous phrases in American history.
What is the meaning of this famous quote?
Visit Franklin Roosevelt’s Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia. This is a small house that
FDR used as a retreat before and during his presidency. He enjoyed the natural warm springs which
eased the pain of his polio. Today, the site is part of the Georgia State Park System. You can visit the
house and a museum. For more information, go to www.fdr-littlewhitehouse.org.
Listen to the “Roosevelt Rap” by visiting http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/rap.html. This rap is a
biography of FDR that was created at his presidential library. What a fun way to learn about our 32nd
president!
Discover some very funny presidential secrets at http://pbskids.org/wayback/prez/index.html.
The public library is full of great books about Roosevelt, the Great Depression, and World War II.
Why not check some out?
Franklin D. Roosevelt: 32nd President of the United States by Alice Osinski
Franklin Delano Roosevelt: The New Deal President by Brenda Haugen
Going to School During the Great Depression by Kerry A. Graves
World War II for Kids: A History with 21 Activities by Richard Panchyk
World War II Days: Discover the Past with Exciting Projects, Games, Activities and Recipes
Test Prep Answers: 1. B
2. B
Liberty – freedom from unfair laws and government controls