American History: Prosperity and Depression
Standards Link:
6.1.12.A Strengths and weaknesses of traditional, command, and market economies.
6.2.12.H Evaluate the economic roles of governments.
6.5.12.G Risks and returns of stocks.
7.1.12.B Cultural change.
7.3.12.B Analyze cultural conflicts
8.3.12.A U.S. since 1890: contributions of political leaders.
8.3.12.D U.S. since 1890:
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domestic instability.
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ethnic and racial relations.
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immigration and migration.
Big Idea:
Enduring Understanding(s):
Prosperity and Depression
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The economics of boom and bust of the 1920s and 1930s and how presidential policies
influenced this.
That the unequal distribution of wealth and easy credit fueled economic expansion and
collapse of the 1920s and 1930s.
Lifestyles in the U.S. were dramatically impacted by social, intellectual, and technological
changes.
That the New Deal created a philosophy of “entitlement” that greatly increased the role of
the U.S. government in our daily lives.
Essential Question(s):
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How did economic policies of the presidents influence business cycles of the 1920s and 1930s economy?
How did the unequal distribution and consumer credit fuel economic expansion and collapse of the 1920s and 1930s?
How were the lifestyles of Americans impacted by social, intellectual, and technological changes?
How did the New Deal create a philosophy of “entitlement” and increase the role of the U.S. government in our daily
lives?
Knowledge:
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The economy of the 1920s and 1930s and the
presidential policies that influenced them.
(6.1.12.A, 6.2.12.H, 8.3.12.A)
The cause and effect of the stock market crash
of 1929 including: speculation, easy credit, bank
failures/panics, and crumbling economy.
(6.1.12.A, 6.5.12.G, 8.3.12.D)
The impact of the Great Depression on
American society. (8.3.12.D)
The challenges to traditional values including
religion, the role of women, immigration, and
prohibition. (7.1.12.B, 7.3.12.B, 8.3.12.D)
The impact the New Deal had on Americans’
expectations of government and the role it
played in their daily lives. (6.2.12.H, 8.3.12.A)
Assessment/Evidence of Learning
Skill(s):
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Analyze the influence of government on the economy
(6.1.12.A, 6.2.12.H, 8.3.12.A)
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of traditional,
command, and market economies and their impact on
society. (6.1.12.A, 6.5.12.G, 8.3.12.D)
Analyze the impact of a depressed economy on society.
(8.3.12.D)
Evaluate the impact of a changing values system on
society. (7.1.12.B, 7.3.12.B, 8.3.12.D)
Analyze and evaluate the impact of the New Deal on
modern governments and its impact on the lives of its
citizens. (6.2.12.H, 8.3.12.A)
American History: Prosperity and Depression
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18th Amendment Debate
1920s figure Facebook
Harlem Renaissance Collage
New Deal Political Cartoon
Learning Activities:
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Dealing with Great Depression: New Deal Program Cards, U.S. Statistical
Analysis
Political Cartoons
Photo Analysis
First Person Accounts of the Great Depression
Langston Hughes Poetry
Graphic Organizers
Primary Source Document Analysis
Resources:
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Text
Federal Reserve Bank
Video Clips
Websites
Primary Sources
Articles