Part 1
Complete the chart by filling in each president's views on the Great Depression.
Great Depression Herbert Hoover Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Causes of the Great Depression
General description of response to the Depression
Beliefs that guided him in his attempt to solve it
What he told Americans they had to do to overcome the Depression
What agencies he relied on to provide relief
Significant acts passed during his presidency to help end the Depression
Success or failure of his program, and why
Part 2
Most historians agree that the New Deal did not solve the problems of the Great Depression and that, in short, it failed to bring about full economic recovery. Nevertheless, it can be argued that the New Deal was significant in that it introduced a new political tradition and brought fundamental change in a number of areas to America.
Write a 350-word response to each of the following questions:
- What do you think is meant by the statements above? How did the New Deal change America?
- Do you think the New Deal changed the relationship between citizens and the federal government and, if so, how? For example, should the government help regulate the economy?