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?