"Action, and Action Now!": FDR's New Deal
- Rosie Jayde Uyola
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Target: I can explain how Franklin D. Roosevelt tried to fix the Great Depression by categorizing his programs into "Relief, Recovery, and Reform."
Key Vocabulary
The New Deal: FDR’s massive plan to fix the economy. It involved the government spending billions of dollars to create jobs and regulate business.
The 3 R's: The three goals of the New Deal:
Relief: Immediate help for the hungry and homeless (money, food).
Recovery: Creating jobs to get the economy moving again (building roads, dams).
Reform: Changing laws to prevent another Depression (banking rules).
The "Alphabet Agencies": Nickname for the many government groups FDR created, known by their initials (CCC, WPA, TVA, FDIC).
Fireside Chats: Radio speeches given by FDR to explain his plans simply to the American people and calm their fears.
Part 1: Do Now (5 minutes)
Directions: Read the prompt below and write a 5-8 sentence response.
Prompt: Imagine a house catches on fire and burns down. To fix the situation, you have to do three things:
How is fixing the U.S. economy like fixing this house? Which step is the most urgent? |
Sentence Starter: Fixing the economy is like the house because first you have to... (Relief), then you have to... (Recovery). The most urgent step is...
Part 2: Analyzing the Sources
Directions: Analyze the two documents below and then answer the questions that follow.
Source 1: FDR, First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1933)
Context: When FDR took office, banks were closed and people were terrified. In this famous speech, he promised bold action.
Original Text | Simplified Text |
"This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself... Our greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously. It can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war." | "This Nation will survive, revive, and prosper. First, let me say that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself... Our main job right now is to put people back to work. We can solve this problem if we are brave. The Government can fix this by hiring people directly, just like we would hire soldiers during a war emergency." |
Source 2: Photograph - Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Workers (1933)
Context: The CCC was one of the first "Alphabet Agencies." It hired young men to plant trees, build parks, and stop soil erosion.
Description: The photo shows a large group of young men in uniforms working in a forest. They are digging ditches and planting trees. They look strong, healthy, and busy. Before this program, these men were unemployed and standing in breadlines. Now, they are earning a paycheck from the government to improve the environment.
Analysis Questions
Directions: Answer the writing questions and the two Multiple Choice questions.
1. According to Source 1, what does FDR say is the "primary task" (main job) of the government? How does he plan to solve it?
Sentence Starter: FDR says the main job is to put people to... He plans to solve this by having the Government...
2. Look at Source 2. How is the CCC an example of "Recovery"? (How does it help both the men and the country?)
Sentence Starter: The CCC is "Recovery" because it gave the men... and it helped the country by...
Regents-Style Multiple Choice
3. The main idea of the New Deal (Source 1) was that the Federal Government should:
(1) Let the economy fix itself ("Laissez-faire")
(2) Assume responsibility for the welfare of the people and the economy3
(3) Print more money to cause inflation
(4) Rely on private charities to help the poor
4. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) shown in Source 2 and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) were primarily intended to help:
(1) Farmers lower their crop production
(2) Banks insure their deposits
(3) Unemployed workers get temporary jobs
(4) Elderly people get a pension
Part 3: Exit Ticket (5 minutes)
Directions: Answer the following prompt in a complete paragraph (5-8 sentences).
Prompt: Using evidence from both sources, explain how FDR used the "New Deal" to fight the Depression. How did his idea of "Action" (Source 1) lead to programs like the CCC (Source 2)? |
Sentence Starter: FDR fought the Depression by taking direct action. In his speech (Source 1), he said the government must treat the crisis like a... To do this, he created "Alphabet Agencies" like the CCC. As shown in Source 2, the CCC helped the economy by... This fits the goal of "Recovery" because…
