+
Unit Plan
Curated OER

The Great Depression

For Teachers 7th
Students analyze the causes of the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, students listen to their instructor present lectures regarding the Dust Bowl, stock market crash, and Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. Students conduct further...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 1932 Election: A Turning Point in History

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Young scholars discuss the presidential election in 1932. In this U.S. history lesson, students compare and contrast the differences between the Hoover administration and the administration of FDR. Young scholars work in groups and...
+
Unit Plan
Curated OER

The Crash, the Dust, and the New Deal

For Teachers 7th
Students explore the Great Depression. In this American history lesson, students examine primary sources in order to research the Stock Market Crash of 1929, the Dust Bowl, and the Neal Deal. Students study the impact on these events on...
+
Article
Other

Great Courses Daily: What Caused the Great Depression? Exploring the Smoot Hawley Tariff

For Students 9th - 10th
This article provides a concise explanation of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, why it was passed and how it affected the economy of the United States and ultimately the world.
+
Graphic
Curated OER

Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Utah: Reed O. Smoot House

For Students 9th - 10th
The home of Reed Smoot from 1892 to his death in 1941. Smoot was a prominent US Senator best known for advocacy of protectionism and the Hawley-Smoot Tariff.
+
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Herbert Hoover

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource contains a detailed biography on Herbert Hoover. From the left-hand toolbar, select information on his life before the presidency, campaigns and elections, domestic affairs, foreign affairs, and life after the presidency....
+
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Conservative Policies and Presidents [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Starting in 1920 the United States had three presidents who followed conservative policies. Read about their policies, and determine whether they made the U.S. a more economically sound country. [pdf]
+
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: 1930s Isolationism

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about the ways the American government and people looked inward during the 1930s, isolating themselves from actions taking place in Europe and Asia.
+
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Hoover's Last Stand

For Students 5th - 8th
The Great Depression was not the fault of Herbert Hoover, but see how he was unable or unwilling to take the steps to address it. Find out how the election of 1932 was the result of his misunderstanding of the economics of the time.
+
Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Outline of American History: Booming 1920s

For Students 9th - 10th
This brief article addresses many of the issues facing the country after World War I. It provides an overview of the Republican policies which supported private business.
+
Activity
Country Studies US

Country Studies: The Booming 1920s

For Students 9th - 10th
A good overview of the policies of the Republican administrations in the 1920s that promoted favorable conditions for U.S. industry. Read about how these policies were a disaster for the farm economy.
+
Handout
Library of Economics and Liberty

Concise Encyclopedia of Economics: Great Depression

For Students 9th - 10th
For upper level classes and abilities only. A very scholarly explanation of the causes of the Great Depression and steps Franklin Roosevelt to end it. An excellent source due to its thorough analysis and detail.
+
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Great Depression 1929 1932: Assessing Hoover Years on Eve of New Deal

For Students 11th - 12th
Examines Herbert Hoover's time as President, what went well and what didn't, as well as whether perceptions about his legacy are accurate and unbiased. Looks at his foreign policy and how he dealt with civil rights.
+
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Why It Happened

For Students 9th - 10th
How did a country with such a booming economy in the 1920s sink into economic disaster in the 1930s? Prosperity was just an illusion. See the many causes of the Great Depression, and find out how all the signs were missed or disregarded.
+
Website
Digital History

Digital History: President Hoover

For Students 9th - 10th
President Herbert Hoover spent his life in public service, and was a very intelligent man, but he was not able to see the problems caused by the Great Depression. Read about his comments and presidential actions in dealing with this...
+
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: The Crash of '29

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes what led to the stock market crash of 1929, what initiatives President Herbert Hoover took to try to recover from it, and what the results were.