grade 11 history essay new deal

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Essay

FDR (Franklin D. Roosevelt) engaged in a program that was referred to as the New Deal. According to the program, the federal government would take more roles so as to improve the citizen’s economic welfare. The economic system was exceptionally poor when Roosevelt became the president in 1933.

A majority of the state governments had taken a banking holiday, which aimed at preventing depositors from destroying the banking institutions. The banks would be ruined if depositors withdrew all their cash. Roosevelt gave all banking institutions four days for holiday. Consequently, Roosevelt pressured the Congress and obtained a legislation for reopening the banks.

The federal government certified that all banks were sound for reopening. Afterwards, there were several banking reforms. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation allowed deposits to be insured.

According to the New Deal, a larger percent of the federal government funds would be used to pay all needy citizens. Grants, as opposed to loans, would be given to the needy citizens. A number of novel agencies were initiated to ensure that the unemployed benefitted from government- sponsored jobs.

The WPA (Works Progress Administration) initiated special projects, which offered jobs to the unskilled and skilled citizens. People trained as musicians, actors, artists, and writers benefitted from such employment. The PWA (Public Works Administration) initiated projects such as construction of dams, sports centers, and highways. The young men benefitted from conservation projects since they were employed by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps).

In my opinion, photographs and paintings are not simply a recording of the past. On the contrary, they are fashioned and composed descriptions, which detail the past. Dorothea Lange’s photos were constructed to give different stories. The photographs advocated for sympathy for all poor people.

Dorothea was a renowned documentary photographer in America. Particularly, she was extremely popular for the Great Depression chronicles and the photographs involving migratory farm employees. She created photographs for the FSA (Farm Security Administration), which were assessing the farm worker’s living conditions in California. A majority of the laborers had migrated to the west as an escape strategy from the Dust Bowl.

Dorothea took photographs, which depicted the depression in human lives. In 1934, Dorothea had the first show. It exhibited various issues, which were facing the government. These included breadline recipients, labor leaders, strike rallies, and political demonstrations. After presenting her photographs during the show, Dorothea got a job with the New Deal Administration.

The photographs were utilized as symbols of the White Angel Breadline migrant, which occurred in 1933 in San Francisco. Dorothea communicated the urgent need for government action to help the destitute Americans. 1939 was declared the year of a novel start.

The Florence Owens Thompson sequence of photographs had a picture of a migrant mother. Moreover, the series showed an underprivileged Californian pea picker. In another photograph, there was a migratory cotton picker from Mexico who was aged ten years. In the picture, the boy was working on the family car and was unable to attend school.

According to him, the father never allowed him to go to school since he was supposed to pick cotton. The boy picked approximately twenty five pounds of cotton every day. In my opinion, this was child labor. In essence, Dorothea’s photos and Roosevelt New Deal had a common goal; fighting for the rights of the underprivileged Americans.

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By: History.com Editors

Updated: March 28, 2023 | Original: October 29, 2009

The New Deal was a series of programs and projects instituted during the Great Depression by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that aimed to restore prosperity to Americans. When Roosevelt took office in 1933, he acted swiftly to stabilize the economy and provide jobs and relief to those who were suffering. Over the next eight years, the government instituted a series of experimental New Deal projects and programs, such as the CCC , the WPA , the TVA, the SEC and others. Roosevelt’s New Deal fundamentally and permanently changed the U.S. federal government by expanding its size and scope—especially its role in the economy.

New Deal for the American People

On March 4, 1933, during the bleakest days of the Great Depression , newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his first inaugural address before 100,000 people on Washington’s Capitol Plaza.

“First of all,” he said, “let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

He promised that he would act swiftly to face the “dark realities of the moment” and assured Americans that he would “wage a war against the emergency” just as though “we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe.” His speech gave many people confidence that they’d elected a man who was not afraid to take bold steps to solve the nation’s problems.

Did you know? Unemployment levels in some cities reached staggering levels during the Great Depression: By 1933, Toledo, Ohio's had reached 80 percent, and nearly 90 percent of Lowell, Massachusetts, was unemployed.

The next day, Roosevelt declared a four-day bank holiday to stop people from withdrawing their money from shaky banks. On March 9, Congress passed Roosevelt’s Emergency Banking Act, which reorganized the banks and closed the ones that were insolvent.

In his first “ fireside chat ” three days later, the president urged Americans to put their savings back in the banks, and by the end of the month almost three quarters of them had reopened.

The First Hundred Days

Roosevelt’s quest to end the Great Depression was just beginning, and would ramp up in what came to be known as “ The First 100 Days .” Roosevelt kicked things off by asking Congress to take the first step toward ending Prohibition —one of the more divisive issues of the 1920s—by making it legal once again for Americans to buy beer. (At the end of the year, Congress ratified the 21st Amendment and ended Prohibition for good.)

In May, he signed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act into law, creating the TVA and enabling the federal government to build dams along the Tennessee River that controlled flooding and generated inexpensive hydroelectric power for the people in the region.

That same month, Congress passed a bill that paid commodity farmers (farmers who produced things like wheat, dairy products, tobacco and corn) to leave their fields fallow in order to end agricultural surpluses and boost prices.

June’s National Industrial Recovery Act guaranteed that workers would have the right to unionize and bargain collectively for higher wages and better working conditions; it also suspended some antitrust laws and established a federally funded Public Works Administration.

In addition to the Agricultural Adjustment Act, the Tennessee Valley Authority Act and the National Industrial Recovery Act, Roosevelt had won passage of 12 other major laws, including the Glass-Steagall Act (an important banking bill) and the Home Owners’ Loan Act, in his first 100 days in office.

Almost every American found something to be pleased about and something to complain about in this motley collection of bills, but it was clear to all that FDR was taking the “direct, vigorous” action that he’d promised in his inaugural address.

Second New Deal

Despite the best efforts of President Roosevelt and his cabinet, however, the Great Depression continued. Unemployment persisted, the economy remained unstable, farmers continued to struggle in the Dust Bowl and people grew angrier and more desperate.

So, in the spring of 1935, Roosevelt launched a second, more aggressive series of federal programs, sometimes called the Second New Deal.

In April, he created the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to provide jobs for unemployed people. WPA projects weren’t allowed to compete with private industry, so they focused on building things like post offices, bridges, schools, highways and parks. The WPA also gave work to artists, writers, theater directors and musicians.

In July 1935, the National Labor Relations Act , also known as the Wagner Act, created the National Labor Relations Board to supervise union elections and prevent businesses from treating their workers unfairly. In August, FDR signed the Social Security Act of 1935, which guaranteed pensions to millions of Americans, set up a system of unemployment insurance and stipulated that the federal government would help care for dependent children and the disabled.

In 1936, while campaigning for a second term, FDR told a roaring crowd at Madison Square Garden that “The forces of ‘organized money’ are unanimous in their hate for me—and I welcome their hatred.”

He went on: “I should like to have it said of my first Administration that in it the forces of selfishness and of lust for power met their match, [and] I should like to have it said of my second Administration that in it these forces have met their master.”

This FDR had come a long way from his earlier repudiation of class-based politics and was promising a much more aggressive fight against the people who were profiting from the Depression-era troubles of ordinary Americans. He won the election by a landslide.

Still, the Great Depression dragged on. Workers grew more militant: In December 1936, for example, the United Auto Workers strike at a GM plant in Flint, Michigan lasted for 44 days and spread to some 150,000 autoworkers in 35 cities.

By 1937, to the dismay of most corporate leaders, some 8 million workers had joined unions and were loudly demanding their rights.

The End of the New Deal?

Meanwhile, the New Deal itself confronted one political setback after another. Arguing that they represented an unconstitutional extension of federal authority, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court had already invalidated reform initiatives like the National Recovery Administration and the Agricultural Adjustment Administration.

In order to protect his programs from further meddling, in 1937 President Roosevelt announced a plan to add enough liberal justices to the Court to neutralize the “obstructionist” conservatives.

This “ Court-packing ” turned out to be unnecessary—soon after they caught wind of the plan, the conservative justices started voting to uphold New Deal projects—but the episode did a good deal of public-relations damage to the administration and gave ammunition to many of the president’s Congressional opponents.

That same year, the economy slipped back into a recession when the government reduced its stimulus spending. Despite this seeming vindication of New Deal policies, increasing anti-Roosevelt sentiment made it difficult for him to enact any new programs.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States entered World War II . The war effort stimulated American industry and, as a result, effectively ended the Great Depression .

The New Deal and American Politics

From 1933 until 1941, President Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and policies did more than just adjust interest rates, tinker with farm subsidies and create short-term make-work programs.

They created a brand-new, if tenuous, political coalition that included white working people, African Americans and left-wing intellectuals. More women entered the workforce as Roosevelt expanded the number of secretarial roles in government. These groups rarely shared the same interests—at least, they rarely thought they did— but they did share a powerful belief that an interventionist government was good for their families, the economy and the nation.

Their coalition has splintered over time, but many of the New Deal programs that bound them together—Social Security, unemployment insurance and federal agricultural subsidies, for instance—are still with us today.

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Great Depression and New Deal - History - 11th Grade

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The tumultuous era of the Great Depression and New Deal comes alive in this elegantly designed 11th-grade history resource. With a style echoing the vintage charm of the period, this educational tool captures the defining moments of US history with professional seriousness. Unique diagrams and timeless photographs help illustrate the economic hardships and political responses of the era. This comprehensive resource provides learners an opportunity to connect historical happenings to the present day, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the world around them. Dive into the captivating narrative of the Great Depression and New Deal with this engaging resource.

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History essay on the new deal

How successful was the new deal?

The new deal of the 1930s was seen as the radical action needed during the depression to help American people and the American economy. However, some people criticised it for not being radical enough as it didn’t help all Americans. Roosevelt started off by introducing 15 acts in his first 100 days including the alphabet agencies and the beer act. These acts and agencies were designed to help certain groups of people but this meant that some were left out. This meant that Roosevelt was forced into producing the second new deal which helped Americans in the late 1930s.

The first couple of acts were very important, first there was the emergency banking act which closed all banks for several days in which time they were inspected and only those that were properly managed were allowed to open again. He then introduced the economy act which meant that the pay of everyone in the government was slashed by 15% and budgets were cut by 25% which altogether saved $1 billion. In addition to this he added the beer act which legalised the manufacture and selling of alcohol, therefore prohibition was ended. Roosevelt then goes on to introduce the 13 acts that make up the alphabet agencies.

This is a preview of the whole essay

The alphabet agencies were a fundamental part of the first new deal as they helped more people than any other acts. One of the main agencies was the PWA which was a long term agency that lasted until 1939 and provided jobs for millions of people. It also created public works of lasting value for example it created 70% of the nation’s schools a third of its hospitals and 50 airports. Although it didn’t employ any unskilled workers and Ikes was slow to put the money back into the economy. The CCC and the CWA also provided jobs for millions of people. The CCC employed more than 3 million people but they were all men so women didn’t benefit. The CWA were just a short term agency that was very successful as it employed 4.2 million people over the winter of 1933/34 but it was very expensive.

FDR also created two agencies to help the farmers as they were one of the heaviest hit by the depression. First he created the AAA who bought surplus crops and destroyed them or shipped them overseas. It also paid farmers compensation to reduce production or remove land from farming. But wasted crops and livestock resulted in huge moral outcry because there were millions of people starving and small time farmers did not benefit. System was voluntary and financial compensation was provided on the basis of number of acres not farmed rather than individual needs. He then created the FCA which provided credit at low interest rates for farmers so they could keep their farms. This meant that the farmers could keep their farms and could afford to work or expand.

In addition to this Roosevelt introduced the NRA which was designed to help workers. They made a limit of a 40 hour week for clerical workers and a 36 hour week for industrial workers. They also set a minimum wage of 40 cents an hour and abolished child labour. It also gave workers the right to join trade unions that had been previously discriminated against which allowed for collective bargaining. 23 million people ended up working under the NRA and those companies who didn’t join were seen as selfish and unpatriotic.

Finally Roosevelt created the TVA that was introduced to develop the Tennessee Valley which cut through 7 states and was poverty stricken. They built 33 dams to control flooding of the river and produce electricity. There were also measures taken to improve the quality of the soil so that it could be used for farming again and a 650 mile waterway to link the river systems. Thousands of jobs were created with the building if the dams and the TVA became the biggest producer of electricity in America meaning many industries moved into that area creating jobs for the unemployed. The dams still provide some of America with electricity today which shows they were a success.

There was then a second new deal which was introduced to silence FDR’s critics and to make sure that he got re-elected. This second new deal was more radical than the first and helped many people that really needed it. Firstly he launched the Wagner act which helped workers by giving them legal rights to join unions. He then introduced the social security act which helped the elderly, disabled and unemployed due to sickness. This introduced state pensions, and disability benefit was paid by federal and state governments. But the pensions weren’t started until 1940 and the funding came from increased taxing. He also introduced the rural electrification administration and the re-settlement administration which were introduced to help farmers. It helped them by building systems transmission lines to enable all farms to have electricity. But the re-settlement administration only relocated 4,441 people instead of its aim of 500,000. In addition to this he introduced the works progress administration which employed 8.5 million people and provided many people with entertainment through theatres and circuses.

Overall the new deal was partly successful as there were many Americans that didn’t benefit from the new deal but there are also many Americans that did benefit from the changes and agencies. The new deal is especially successful if you compare it to what Hoover did for the American people. However there were still many people that were unemployed and by 1937 industrial production was down 33%, wages were down 35% and national income was down 13%. This shows that the new deal didn’t help many people although a large part of this is due to cut in public spending.

Ross Goodman-Brown                      

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Essays on The New Deal

The new deal essay, types of the new deal essay.

• Cause and Effect Essay
• Compare and Contrast Essay
• Analysis Essay

Cause and Effect Essay about The New Deal

• Conduct thorough research: To write a well-informed New Deal Cause and Effect Essay, it is essential to conduct extensive research. This research should involve reading primary and secondary sources, including books, articles, and government reports, to gain an in-depth understanding of the topic.
• Develop a thesis statement: A thesis statement is a central argument or claim that guides the essay's content. It should be specific and concise and clearly outline the essay's main ideas and arguments.
• Organize the essay: In this type of essay, it is essential to have a clear and logical structure. The essay should have an introduction that outlines the topic and the thesis statement, followed by body paragraphs that discuss the causes and effects of the New Deal, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points and reiterates the thesis statement.
• Use evidence to support arguments: It is crucial to use relevant evidence to support the arguments presented in the essay. This evidence can be in the form of statistical data, quotes from primary sources, or expert opinions.
• Edit and proofread: Before submitting the essay, it is essential to edit and proofread it thoroughly. This process involves checking for spelling and grammar errors, ensuring that the essay's structure is logical and coherent, and ensuring that the arguments presented are well-supported and logically sound.

Compare and Contrast Essay about The New Deal

• Choose a specific aspect of The New Deal to compare and contrast. Some possible topics could include the similarities and differences between the Emergency Banking Act and the Glass-Steagall Act, the effectiveness of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration in providing employment, or the similarities and differences between the Agricultural Adjustment Act and the National Industrial Recovery Act.
• Make a list of the similarities and differences between the two or more aspects of The New Deal that you are comparing. Consider factors such as goals, methods, impact, and public perception.
• Develop a clear thesis statement that highlights the main points of your comparison and contrast.
• Organize your essay in a way that clearly presents the similarities and differences between the aspects of The New Deal that you are comparing. One common approach is to use a block or point-by-point structure.
• Use specific examples and evidence to support your analysis. This could include statistics, historical accounts, or primary source documents.
• Make connections between the similarities and differences you have identified and draw conclusions about the successes and failures of The New Deal as a whole.

The New Deal: Analysis Essay

• Choose a specific aspect of the New Deal to focus on, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Agricultural Adjustment Act, or the National Industrial Recovery Act.
• Conduct extensive research to gather relevant information and data related to the chosen topic.
• Analyze the effectiveness of the New Deal policies in addressing the challenges of the Great Depression.
• Evaluate the impact of the New Deal on the country's economy and society.
• Use examples and evidence to support the arguments made in the essay.
• Provide a critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the New Deal policies and their outcomes.
• Use clear and concise language and maintain a logical flow of ideas throughout the essay.

Tips on How to Choose a Topic

• Consider the type of essay you want to write and select a topic that fits the requirements.
• Research the various aspects of The New Deal, including the policies implemented and their effects.
• Choose a topic that interests you and that you have a strong opinion on.
• Look for gaps in the existing research and choose a topic that allows you to contribute new ideas.

Hook Examples for The New Deal Essays

Anecdotal hook.

Imagine living through the Great Depression, struggling to make ends meet, and suddenly, a series of government programs comes to your rescue. This was the reality for millions of Americans during the era of the New Deal.

Question Hook

Did Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies truly pull the United States out of economic despair, or did they sow the seeds of long-term government intervention in the economy? Explore the lasting impact of this pivotal period.

Quotation Hook

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." — Franklin D. Roosevelt. Discover the context and significance of this famous quote from FDR's inaugural address as it relates to the New Deal's mission to restore hope and confidence.

Statistical or Factual Hook

During the New Deal, over 15 million Americans were employed through various relief programs. Delve into the numbers and programs that aimed to combat unemployment and economic hardship.

Definition Hook

What exactly was the New Deal, and what were its key components? Unpack the policies, acts, and agencies that comprised this comprehensive government response to the Great Depression.

Rhetorical Question Hook

Can government intervention in the economy effectively stimulate recovery during times of crisis, or does it risk overreach and unintended consequences? Investigate the debates surrounding the New Deal's role in shaping economic policy.

Historical Hook

Travel back to the 1930s to explore the dire economic conditions and social challenges that prompted the implementation of the New Deal. Understand the historical context in which these policies emerged.

Contrast Hook

Contrast the New Deal's approach to economic recovery with previous laissez-faire policies. Analyze the shift in government philosophy and its implications for the role of the state in citizens' lives.

Narrative Hook

Follow the journey of a family impacted by the New Deal, from unemployment lines to the benefits of programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Their story illuminates the tangible effects of these policies.

Shocking Statement Hook

Prepare to be astonished by the sheer scale and ambition of the New Deal, which aimed to not only rescue the economy but also reshape society. Explore the bold initiatives and controversies that surrounded this era.

Negative Effects of The New Deal

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Great Depression

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

1933 - 1939

United States

Agricultural Adjustment Administration, National Recovery Administration, Public Works Administration, Public Works of Art Project

The New Deal was a series of programs and projects instituted during the Great Depression by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that aimed to restore prosperity to Americans.

Much of the New Deal legislation was enacted within the first three months of Roosevelt’s presidency. The main issue of the new president was to alleviate the suffering of the nation’s huge number of unemployed workers.

In 1935, Roosevelt launched a second, more aggressive series of federal programs, called the Second New Deal with three principal categories—relief, recovery, and reform. Recovery programs were intended to help stabilize and rebuild the economy.

From 1933 until 1941, President Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and policies provided support for farmers, the unemployed, youth and the elderly. In Roosevelt's 12 years in office, the economy had an 8.5% compound annual growth of GDP.

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The New Deal

The Great Depression put America’s economy to its knees that it needed drastic economic policies to lift America from depression. Having this desperate economic backdrop with unemployment soaring high, it created a favourable political environment for the New Deal policies.  The New Deal was a government program of action by President Roosevelt to address the Great Depression when he assumed office as a President of the United States on March 4, 1933.

The New Deal did not only lift America from depression but also changed the public opinion on the role of the federal government.  Before the Depression, the federal government was not expected to do something about the market but to leave on its own dynamics.  With the implementation of the New Deal, the federal government took active role in helping the people and the economy in general get out of depression.  These measures in the New Deal involved a series of economic programs focused on Relief, Recovery and Reform of the economy. Among the programs of his new deal was the obtained permission to reopen most banks and provided grants to citizens.  The New Deal also initiated work programs to generate employment through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) programs.  President Roosevelt also pump primed the economy with the widespread public spending on infrastructure by constructing roads, buildings, dams and similar projects through his Public Works Administration (PWA) which provided not only jobs but income in the system.  He also enlisted young men in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to work on conservation projects as part of the New Deal.

As a result, the New Deal lifted the United States economy from the shambles of the Great Depression to become an economic superpower after the Second World War.  It however came from excessive taxes of which the New Deal was also criticized.

• “The New Deal.” History Learning Site . N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Jun 2014. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/new>
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History Grade 11 - Topic 2 Source-based Questions

The source below describes the impact of the Great Depression on men in the USA.

The stress of financial strain took a psychological toll- especially on men who were suddenly unable to provide for their families. The national suicide rate rose to an all- time high in 1933.

Marriages became strained, though many couples could not afford to separate. Divorce rates dropped during the 1930s though abandonments increased. Some men deserted their families out of embarrassment or frustration. This was sometimes called a ‘poor man’s divorce’.

It is estimated that more than two million men and women became travelling hobos. Many of these were teens who felt they had become a burden on their families and left home in search of work. It was worse with men as head of the families because they could not put something on the table.

Riding the rails – illegally hopping on freight trains – became a common, yet dangerous way to travel. Those travelling the country in search of work often camped in ‘Hoovervilles’, shantytowns named after Herbert Hoover, president during the early years of the Great Depression.

[From www.history.com/ Accessed on 10 April 2021]

2.1.1 What is your understanding of the concept Great Depression?  (1x2)(2)

• Refers to the consequences of the stock market crash in America; or
• Period of economic decline and poverty due to the stock market crash of 1929; or
• Any other relevant answer

2.1.2 Quote evidence from the source that suggests that men killed themselves because of their inability to provide for their families.(1x2)(2)

• The national suicide rate rose to an all-round high in 1933

2.1.3 Why, according to the source, did men desert their families?  (1x2)(2)

• Because of embarrassment or frustration

2.1.4 Use the information in the source and your own knowledge to explain why two million men and women became travelling hobos.                (2x2)            (4)

• Many men and women were unemployed, and they went to search for jobs elsewhere; or
• Many men and women lost their homes and were looking for shelter elsewhere; or
• They were looking for food and other relevant materials; or

2.1.5 Explain how the Great Depression led to the formation of Hooverville.  (2x2)    (4)

• Many families lost their homes; or
• Banks took down homes and many families became homeless; or
• People built warehouses from waste materials; or
• President Hoover failed to provide the people with proper housing and infrastructure; or

2.2 Refer to source 2B

The source below is an extract from an interview with Maya Angelou, conducted by Blackside, Inc. on April 11, 1992. Maya Angelou (historian and civil rights leader) describes the impact of the Great Depression on Black communities in the USA.

... They said in the South that “the Depression had been going on for ten years before black people even knew about it,” even knew it existed, and that was true particularly in the South, in villages, and small hamlets, and small towns because the people lived at a subsistence level for the most part. Many were sharecroppers ... they owed their lives to the company store. So because they hadn’t been able to get education, they were vulnerable to the greed and evil of the farm owners. So at the end of the year the farmer found himself in debt. So, the Depression had gone on long before the crash of ‘29 took place. One of the ways it affected the black community was that the white hobos (travellers) would come to the black area to ask for food. Now, partly out of pride, and maybe the other part out of an ability to identify, to empathise with the hobo, black people always gave food. Now they had beans, maybe, with a little piece of smoked meat or dried meat, cured meat, they had cornbread, and black people would give beans and cornbread to black hobos.

[From http://digital.wustl.edu Accessed on 10 April 2021.]

2.2.1 Quote evidence from the source that suggests that Black Americans were unaware of the Great Depression.   (1x2)(2)

• ‘… the Depression had gone on long before the crash of ‘29 took place’

2.2.2 What type of work, according to the source, were Black Americans doing in the South?             (1x2)(2)

• Sharecropping or subsistence farming

2.2.3 Explain what Angelou meant with the statement, ‘The Depression had gone on long before the crash of 29 took place’.            (1x2)(2)

• Black people lived in poverty before the outbreak of the Depression; or
• The effect of the Great Depression on White Americans has long been experienced by Black Americans; or

2.2.4Use the information in the source and your own knowledge to explain how Black Americans reacted towards white hobos who entered their area. (2x2)          (4)

• They accepted the Whites; or
• They were sympathetic to white hobos; or
• They provided White hobos with food; or

2.2.5 Explain the usefulness of this source for historians researching the effect of the Great Depression on Black people in America in the 1930s.       (1x2)(2)

• This is an excerpt from an interview – first-hand information; or
• Angelou was a Civil Rights Leader who understood the struggles of Black people; or
• Angelou, herself was black and has experienced poverty; or
• Angelou’s experiences gives an informed version of the subject; or
• The source shows that Black people have lived in poverty and misery for a long time before the Depression broke out; or

2.3 Consult Source 2C

The source below is a letter from a delegation of the Unemployed Councils of Alabama, to Governor Benjamin Miller and the state legislature (1931) representing all the cities. It describes the living conditions of the people and it gives a list of demands for unemployment relief.

At the same time that the state legislature (parliament) is in a special session, there exists widespread unemployment and great misery amongst the people of Alabama. The relief being afforded by the Red Cross is entirely inadequate and is nothing but a slow process of starvation. The various self-help schemes in the cities are plans to keep the unemployed on a permanent pauper (bankrupt) level. The conditions of the unemployed is getting worse, unemployment is increasing and the question of immediate relief is the foremost issue confronting the thousands of the unemployed and their families. The special session is not attempting to meet this need... All the so called economy measures are attempts to lower the living standard of the people. In answer to these conditions, we have been elected as a delegation to present the following demands for immediate unemployment relief which we believe should take precedence over all questions before the legislature. $3 cash weekly relief for the average family... Free utilities**(gas, light, water) and rent for all unemployed and part-time workers earning less than $7 a week. Adequate care for homeless, young and single workers Provision for opening of all schools, payment of salaries to teachers and free lunches and books for school children Right to vote for all unemployed without payment of poll tax. [From https://digital.archives.alabama.gov Accessed on 11 April 2021]

2.3.1 Name the organisation that brought relief to the people of Alabama. (1x1)   (1)

2.3.2 What conclusion can be drawn about the Alabama legislature’s attitude towards the needs of their people?  (1x2)(2)

• They did not care for their subjects; or
• The legislature’s plans were out of touch with the needs of their people; or
• The legislature did not consult the people regarding the lighting programs

2.3.3 Write down THREE demands which were suggested by the delegation to better the lives of the citizens of Alabama. (3 x 1) (3)

• $3 cash weekly relief for the average family...
• Free utilities**(gas, light, water) and rent for all unemployed and part-time workers earning less than $7 a week.
• Adequate care for homeless, young and single workers

2.3.4 Combining the evidence and information from the source together with your knowledge, explain the effects that the Great Depression had on education in Alabama. (2 x 2) (4)

• Schools were closed down
• Teachers were not getting paid their salaries

2.3.5 How reliable is the source for historians researching the effect of the Great Depression on the citizens of Alabama. (1 x 2) (2)

• The source is reliable as it shows both the economic and social impacts of the Great Depression on the citizens of Alabama.

2.4 Consult Source 2D.

2.4.1 What can be learnt about the impact of the Great Depression on the people of the US? Make use of visual clues from the source to back your answer. (2 x 2) (4)

• There were many jobs lost
• Men in particular were affected by the lack of jobs and felt helpless.

2.4.2 Using this source with your own knowledge, explain how an American without a job would have felt after viewing this picture. (1 x 2) (2)

• They would feel hopeless.

2.5 Combining your own knowledge with the relevant sources, write a paragraph of approximately SIX lines (+-60 words) explaining the impact of the Great Depression on the lives of US citizens in the 1930s.  (6)

Americans lost their jobs during the great depression. Teachers were not getting paid and school closed down during the Great Depression. As a result of the Great Depression and the psychological strain of it, suicide rated increased while marriages were broken as a result of men abandoning their families out of shame of being unable to provide. Hopping on freight trains illegally became a norm despite how dangerous it was.

This content was originally produced for the SAHO classroom by Sebastian Moronell, Ayabulela Ntwakumba, Simone van der Colff & Thandile Xesi.

• National Senior Certificate. “Grade 11 November 2019 Paper 2 Addendum”, National Senior Certificate, November 2019. 

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