March 30, 2015• Goal: Analyze FDR’s effectiveness in
solving Great Depression crises• QOD: How much power should the
government have in solving our problems?• Agenda: FDR PowerPoint, New Deal
station activity• Homework: New Deal critics sheet
The Impact of the Great Depression
• People everywhere were affected by the Depression
• It wasn’t until President Roosevelt took over and tried to put the economy back together that people saw a glimmer of hope
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
• Elected 32nd president in 1933• NY State Senator• Came from a very
wealthy & politically connected family• Led the U.S.
through the GD and WWII• Did not show his
weakness…why?
FDR’s Inheritance• When FDR was inaugurated,
unemployment had gone up by 7 million• In poor sections of the U.S. (like
Harlem) 50% of the population was unemployed• Lame Duck – elected in November,
doesn’t take office until March (America is in a Depression and nothing gets done for four months!)
Inaugural AddressRead through FDR’s inaugural address silently and independently
As you read, circle/underline/highlight four things you believe would have comforted Americans during this time of economic crisis and desperation
Discussion
• What point was FDR trying to convey to the American public?
First 100 Days• Established a “Brain Trust”
brain trustnoun: a group of people who give advice to a leader about what should be done
• Comprised of elite Harvard and Columbia professors and economic advisors • How do we fix the economy?
“Alphabet Soup” Agencies
• FDR and the Brain Trust whipped up dozens of “alphabet soup” agencies to address social and economic issues
Station Activity• At each station, you will be presented with
an issue from the Great Depression• Unemployment• Farming crisis• Housing• Banking & stocks
• You will read about the specific agencies formed to address these issues• At one station you will have to work with
your group to address a current-day problem and create an agency to fix it
At Each Station:• After reading, fill in your agency chart
with the necessary information• We will have 7 minutes at each station• When the timer goes off, your group will
move quietly clockwise to the next station• http://
www.online-stopwatch.com/countdown-timer/
What Problems Did Your Group Address?
• What agencies did your group create and what were there purpose?
Three RsEach agency fell under one of these purposes
• Relief - immediate action taken to halt the economies deterioration (CCC)
• Recovery - “pump - priming" temporary programs to restart the flow of consumer demand (AAA, HOLC, WPA, TVA)
• Reform - permanent programs to avoid another depression and insure citizens against economic disasters (SSA, SEC, FDIC)
HomeworkRead your New Deal critic bio and answer questions!
Your charts must be handed in as you leave with the agency your group created on the back
Tomorrow we will look at supporters and critics of FDR’s New Deal