The purpose of this assignment is to measure your ability to analyze primary historical documents and to use your analysis to make an argument regarding approaches to the Great Depression. Through the documents you read for this project, you will see the Depression through the eyes an ordinary American family and the two presidents who had to deal with this economic disaster.
Preparation
1. Read chapter 26 in the textbook to get an understanding of the effects of the Great Depression, along with how presidents Hoover and Roosevelt responded.
2. Read and take notes on Herbert Hoovers Message Regarding Unemployment Relief (December 9, 1930) and Statement on Unemployment Relief (February 3, 1931).
3. Read and take notes on Franklin D. Roosevelts Fireside Chat 3: On the National Recovery Administration (July 24, 1933).
4. Read The Depression has Changed Peoples Outlook: The Beuschers Remember the Great Depression in Dubuque, Iowa. As you read the transcript of this interview, make notes on comments that relate to the ideas expressed by Hoover and FDR in their speeches/statements above.
Instructions
The parameters for this essay are as follows: Length (body of essay): 1200-1400 words (Note: You can write more, but I will grade only your first 1400 words.) Sources: Use only the sources listed under Preparation above. Usage of other sources will result in severe grade reductions. Format: MLA, using in-text citations and including a works cited page. Here is a link explaining MLA guidelines. Use direct quotes sparingly; I am much more interested in YOUR explanation rather than a collection of direct quotes daisy-chained together. Remember that even when you paraphrase facts from your sources, you still need to cite where you got your information. It is permissible to group all of your citations together at the end of the paragraph. Appearance: double-spaced, using a standard (12) font such as Times New Roman or Arial Title Page containing your name, date, and the course. (The title of your paper should give me a hint regarding your argument in element 3 below.) Write the essay as a narrative; do not write the paper using bullet points.
Prompt:
Write an essay relating the policy proposals of Hoover and Roosevelt to the actual experiences of the Beuscher family during the Great Depression. Begin by discussing how President Hoover could have used the Beuschers experiences to support his ideas about how to deal with the Depression. Then, discuss how FDR could have used the the Beuscher interview as proof that his New Deal was working. Finally, give your opinion regarding which president had the more effective approach to the Great Depression (Hoover or FDR), supporting your argument with specific examples. (Another way to approach this final question is to wonder: Would the country have dealt with the Depression better had Hoover been re-elected in 1932 and 1936?
