Programs of the New Deal

Several programs were created during the New Deal in order to stimulate a variety of different industries and issues with the economy. Having students examine a select few of these will allow them to understand how deeply the events of the Great Depression affected the country and how widespread the recovery efforts were. Using a spider map, students will define and describe three New Deal programs.

In order for the class to be able to share this information with one another, it may be helpful to list the programs on the board and have students select the three they are going to choose before they begin. By having students select the programs together initially, it will allow that each program is selected at least once, and students can present their final storyboards to each other.

Suggested New Deal Programs

• WPA - Works Progress Administration
• CWA - Civil Works Administration
• CCC - Civilian Conservation Corps
• AAA - Agricultural Adjustment Act
• TVA - Tennessee Valley Authority Act
• National Employment System Act
• NIA - National Industrial Recovery Act

Extended Activity

After students have completed the Programs of the New Deal activity, students can copy their initial storyboards and replace the text from the description and replace it with their analysis of the program. Students should describe their opinion as to whether they believe the program was an overall success or failure and include the reasons why. Students may also rank their three programs first, second, and third, depending on which they viewed as their favorite program and which one they believe is the least effective.