FDR AND THE NEW DEAL 14
Name
Was the New Deal a positive step for America?
That's an essential question for this unit, and you will be developing a foundation of information
regarding the New Deal in this activity in order to help answer this question. Carefully follow
directions on all parts of the assignment! In order to prove that you have read them, write
"loves history" after your name on your answer sheet!
After Herbert Hoover lost the Election of 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt took office and dominated
the federal government for over a decade. FDR developed what was called "The New Deal" to solve
the problems of the Great Depression. The New Deal was a collection of laws, regulations and
government programs passed by Congress during the first two terms of FDR's presidency. (There were
actually two phases of the New Deal, with the second coming after FDR was reelected in 1936). We
will discuss FDR and the New Deal in class next week, and this assignment will also help prepare you
for our debate next week.
COME UP WITH QUESTIONS AS YOU COMPLETE THIS!
To complete the different parts of this assignment, use the online materials, "The
New Deal" research list on ABC-CLIO, and the additional links and videos
available online on your favorite American history website.
THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
q FDR – An Introduction
One of four presidents with a national memorial dedicated to them on the Mall in Washington D.C.,
FDR is ranked as one of the top presidents in nearly every presidential ranking available. To learn
about his background, check out the FDR site from the White House and the FDR Memorial website.
We will be there in a two weeks!
q Leading Up to the New Deal
Think about the information discussed on your homework and in class about the early years of the
Depression and President Hoover’s response to the economic crisis.
q The Election of 1932
Check out the link online to get an overview (or review) of this landslide election – a true turning point in
American history.
q Any questions so far?
“The New Chauffeur”, 03/01/33, by Bruce Shanks
What examples of symbolism are used in this cartoon?
Who is running away?
What is the comment of the cartoonist?
q FDR Introduces the New Deal (type below each exercise)
¶ FDR’s New Deal was rooted in what became known as the “Three Rs”.
Identify, describe and give examples of each of the “three Rs.”
¶ FDR used the radio effectively to explain his new programs and policies.
Describe the “fireside chats” and briefly discuss how he was able to
instill the confidence of the public.
¶ What was notable about FDR’s “Hundred Days”?
¶ What did FDR do to restore confidence in America's banking system?
q Alphabet Soup
The many New Deal programs are famous for their acronyms. You will need to identify each
New Deal program and describe its purpose and action. An example is provided – use it as a
guide, and don’t just cut a paste a huge paragraph. There are a ton of materials online to find
out about these programs – and we will have fun with them in class.
Acronym
Program
Purpose and Action
§
§
AAA
Agricultural
Adjustment §
Administration
§
CCC
FDIC
FHA
FERA
MSITMHMITWA
NLRB
NRA (not the
rilfe one)
Mike Schwieters is the
most handsome man in
the world Association
intended to raise farm prices quickly and to control production
paid farmers to destroy crops, milk, and livestock or leave some
of their land uncultivated
also paid farmers subsidies to make up some losses in key crops
like cotton and wheat
Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in 1936
NYA
PWA and WPA
SSA
TVA
q Any questions now?
q The Dust Bowl
Spend a few minutes learning about this amazing geographic meteorological nightmare!
q The Election of 1936
Check out the link online to get an overview (or review) of this landslide election – keeping FDR in
office for four more years!
q Opposition to the New Deal (type below each exercise)
¶ What was the Roosevelt Recession?
¶ What was FDR's "court-packing plan"? Why did he want to do it? What was the result?
"Qualifying Test for Supreme Court Jobs", 02/12/37, in the New
York Herald-Tribune
What is going on in this cartoon? Who is administering the test?
What are the items in the garbage?
What is this cartoonist’s editorial comment or opinion?
¶ What were the negative views of the following people or groups concerning the New Deal?
Craft a first person statement from each of the groups below. An example is provided.
Supporters of states’ rights – That FDR is takin’ power away from the states by havin’ the federal
government do things our stat government used to do – too much power in D.C.!
Republicans –
Businessmen and the wealthy -
Huey Long -
Father Coughlin -
Francis Townsend -
q The New Deal and Minorities
Using the various links about women and minorities online, make a bulleted and detailed list how
the following groups were affected by the New Deal.
Women
African Americans
Mexican Americans
Native Americans
q The Legacy of New Deal and Minorities
What aspects, programs, ideas and arguments from the New Deal are still around today? Be
specific and detailed – don’t just list them – describe them too.
q Review
To review what you have learned, check out the New Deal and Second New Deal videos online.
Make sure you watch them – they serve as a great closing to the assignment.
ANY QUESTIONS?
READY TO DEBATE THE NEW DEAL IN CLASS?