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How did Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency impact the United States during the Great Depression? In this lesson, students explore Franklin D. Roosevelt’s background, leadership, and response to the Great Depression. They will examine key programs from the New Deal, his use of Fireside Chats, and the lasting impact of his policies on the government and economy. Activities include analyzing primary sources and answering questions to show how FDR helped restore hope and reshape the role of the federal government.

Included in this resource:

Do Now - FDR’s inaugural address primary source analysis and questions
FDR document pass/station activity with corresponding scaffolding questions
Document 1: The Crisis Inherited: America on the Brink
Document 2: The First 100 Days: A New Deal Begins
Document 3: Communication and Leadership: Fireside Chats
Document 4: Opposition and Challenges
Document 5: The Second New Deal: A Broader Vision
Document 6: The End of the Decade: Recovery and Limits
Document 7: Legacy of Roosevelt’s Early Presidency
Spotlight On: FDR’s presidency during the Great Depression
FDR POV and scaffolding questions
Create a legacy brochure of FDR with rubric
Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: Why did Franklin D. Roosevelt’s actions during the Great Depression have a lasting impact on the role of the U.S. government?
Answer key for teachers (suggested)
★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you!

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