The New Deal Teacher Guide

5 Ws

View Activity

New Deal Programs

View Activity

Timeline

View Activity

The 3 Rs

View Activity

Discussion Questions for the New Deal

1. What was the Great Depression?
2. What was the new deal?
3. What were the goals of the New Deal?
4. How did the New Deal change the role of government?
5. How did New Deal programs affect those in need?

Relief, Recovery, Reform: The New Deal Initiatives

Soon after taking office, President Roosevelt promoted his New Deal program, which would emphasize the “3 Rs”: relief, recovery, and reform. Although the New Deal has been seen as a controversial series of legislation enacted by the federal government, there is no question that these reforms saved lives and provided jobs to those in dire need throughout the 1930s. The actions the Federal Government took to keep the American economy and society alive remains a topic of intense study throughout America’s economic, political, and social battles today.

While studying this period of history, students will be exposed to numerous economic, political, and social reforms established under the New Deal. They will see how the Federal Government stepped into American society in order to alleviate the numerous problems caused by the Great Depression. They'll be introduced to the background questions of the New Deal. Students will research and then analyze the programs created under the New Deal.

Students will also have the opportunity to step back from the perspective of just the 1930s and be able to look back at the problems created prior to the Wall Street Crash on October 29th, 1929. In order to connect this unit to today's history, students can look at modern society and analyze the role the Federal Government plays in our daily lives. Students will be encouraged to not only make connections between the New Deal and our modern society, but also analyze and argue both for and against the role our government plays in our lives today.