Examining the New Deal Programs Essay
US History
Instructions:
In response to overwhelming poverty, economic turmoil and building social unrest, President
Franklin Roosevelt launched a series of economic programs that would be later gathered together
under the umbrella term, the New Deal. Each initiative under the New Deal was focused on one of
the three R’s: relief, recovery or reform. Relief programs attempted to relieve some of the most dire
human costs of the economic downturn, recovery programs sought to help the national economy to
rebound from the Great Depression and reform programs focused on fixing the flaws in the US
economy that brought about the Depression in the first place.
You will each be expected to focus on one program (will be assigned) and evaluate it the program to
answer the question:
To what extent did
(insert your program’s name) achieve its goal to
relieve/recover/reform the US economy during the Great Depression?
Your task is to create a 750-1250 word essay that includes:
1.
An introduction that includes
a. Background on the New Deal and your program
b. The goal of your program (relief, recovery or reform)
c. Thesis statement that gives a one sentence answer to your question and shows the
order that you will be presenting your point. Since this is a “to what extent”
question, two of your points should be in support of your position and one should
point should be a counter argument.
2.
Body paragraphs that include
a. Topic sentence that connects the main idea of the paragraph and the question
b. Supporting sentences to explain the connection between the main idea and the
question
c. Concrete detail that shows the success/failure of the program
d. Commentary/Analysis that explains how the evidence shows the success/failure of
the program
3.
Conclusion that includes
a. Restatement of Thesis
b. Summary of main points (1 sentence per argument)
c. Evaluation of your program’s importance relative to the New Deal’s success as a
whole
4.
A bibliography that is
a. Formatted in MLA format and presented in alphabetical order
b. Well researched with a variety of secondary (and primary if possible) sources
c. Reflected in in-text parenthetical citations in your essay
Deadlines and Planning
Date
January 14th
In-Class Activity
Research in the Library
January 19th
Developing an Outline, Writing
an Introduction and Begin
Homework for Next Class
Complete Research and Record
Bibliographic Information for
6-8 sources
Complete draft of Introduction
and One Body Paragraph
January 21st
January 25th
January 27th/January 29th
(Depending on Exam Bell
Schedule)
Drafting Essay
(Working in Library Computer
Lab)
Develop and Complete First
Draft
(Working in Computer Lab)
Peer Edit and Revise Essay
(Open Area of Library)
Submit Essay and Watch
Depression Movie
Complete First Draft of Essay
Complete Final Draft of Essay
for Submission
NONE
Planning Checklist (All Formative Components that will be checked by Mr. Johnson). Please use this
list to monitor your progress
A. Bibliography of 6-8 sources
B. Topic Outline
C.
Introduction and 1 Body Paragraph
D. First Draft of Essay
E.
Completed Peer Editing Form
Programs to Research (Please circle yours once it has been selected)
AGRICULTURAL ADJUSTMENT ACT
(Recovery)
NATIONAL RECOVERY ADMINISTRATION
(Recovery)
CIVIL WORKS ADMINISTRATION (Relief)
NATIONAL YOUTH ADMINISTRATION (Relief)
FARM SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (Relief)
PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION
(Relief/Recovery)
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORP.
(Reform)
FEDERAL EMERGENCY RELIEF ADMIN.
(Relief)
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ADMINISTRATION
(Reform)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
(Reform)
FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION
(Recovery)
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
(Reform)
INDIAN REORGANIZATION ACT (Reform)
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY (Reform)
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT (Reform)
WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION (Relief)