The Election of FDR and the Immediate Response to the Great Depression
Franklin D. Roosevelt campaigning while sitting in a car, 1932
As the election of 1932 approached, Americans were seeking a response to the impacts of the Great Depression around the country. The election would mark the first of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four terms as President of the United States.
This one-day lesson plan was developed in Spring 2024 by Dr. Marcus Witcher and covers the 1932 election, the transition of power from the Hoover to FDR administration, and early economic policies designed to combat the Great Depression. The lesson could be used as a precursor to a unit on the New Deal in history classrooms or as a case study on economic policy impacts in a social science course. This lesson was designed to continue the topics presented in Dr. Witcher’s economic history lessons on The Great Depression.
These units can be embedded into existing history, civics, and government units to incorporate economic topics or used in economics classes to present historical case studies of economics in action.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, campaigning, gives speech on back of train in California.
Active Learning in this Lesson:
Read & Respond: Roosevelt’s First Fireside Chat:
Roosevelt transformed the medium of radio into a valuable asset during his administration. FDR bypassed the professional press and went directly to the American people. He spoke to them from radio receivers in their living rooms. In this activity, students listen to and discuss Roosevelt’s first fireside chat on the banking crisis.
Watch: FDR's First Inaugural Address
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” said Roosevelt, during his first inaugural address. Roosevelt used his first address to the nation and promised to use the power of the federal government to directly intervene as no president had ever done before—especially during peacetime. Students watch the address and discuss the branches of government, separation of powers, and a President’s ability to create political change.
Research & Present: Early Economic Policies of the Great Depression
The Hoover and Roosevelt administrations both worked to develop economic policy ideas to address the banking crisis and the Great Depression. In this research activity, students can work alone or in small groups to research and create presentations on The Emergency Banking Act of 1933, the Banking Act of 1933 (Glass-Steagall Banking Act), and the Security Exchange Act 1933 & 1934.
Learn more:
Looking for more lesson plans & activities for teaching about economic history? Explore the Social Studies Arkansas resource library to find materials for teaching Prohibition, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and variety of other topics across the social studies content area.
