"Can Government Create an Economic Recovery?"
It is widely recognized that government programs did not pull the United States out of the Great Depression, World War II did. Yet, Franklin Roosevelt was one of the most popular U.S. Presidents in history, winning four (4) successive elections. Students will respond to the following:
Agree or disagree with the following statement, and provide evidence to support your opinion: "Herbert Hoover should have been reelected in 1932 because the Great Depression was not his fault and his gradual approach would have been cheaper and more effective than the radical steps FDR took to restore the economy."
In terms of their approach to the public on difficult issues, compare the styles of two (2) presidents dealing with similar economic woes eighty (80) years apart: Franklin Roosevelt with the Great Depression and Barack Obama with the "Great Recession."
Compare the New Deal of the 1930s to current government programs designed to stimulate the economy and explain which program you believe (was) (is) more effective in restoring economic recovery.