Digital History
Digital History: The Depression of 1937
Read about the "Roosevelt Recession" that resulted from the slashing of government spending because of rosy economic news in 1936. Find out how opposition to the New Deal kept it from being expanded to help the country out of recession...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Fdr: Fireside Chats, the New Deal, and Eleanor
In this Curriculum Unit, learners will consider "FDR: Fireside Chats, the New Deal, and Eleanor" in 5 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Quest for Social Justice in the Interwar Years
For this Curriculum Unit, students will consider "NAACP's Anti-Lynching Campaigns: The Quest for Social Justice in the Interwar Years" in 2 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under...
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Fdr's First Inaugural Address
Features background on FDR and his platform for dealing with the Great Depression. Included are primary source documents of his first inaugural address and photos related to his New Deal programs.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Documents Related to Fdr and Churchill
This site provides a concise overview of the relationship between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill with links to related primary source documents.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: President Franklin D. Roosevelt
This companion to the PBS series surveys the career of the longest-serving president in U.S. history and leader through the Great Depression and World War II.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Spotlight Biography: Labor Reformers
Biographical information on Samuel Gompers, Frances Perkins and Cesar Chavez. All three were inspirations for the labor union movement.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Works Progress Administration (Wpa)
A great summary of the Works Progress Administration, its goals, and the support it gave ordinary workers as well as artists, writers, and musicians.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Poll Results: The Election of 1936
Here is an interesting look at three of the issues debated in the 1936 election. See a poll taken in 2002 by American Experience to see how a contemporary audience would have voted based on those issues in 1936.
New Deal Network
New Deal Network: Works of Fdr: A Message to the Congress on Social Security
Text of FDR's speech to Congress on January 17, 1935, regarding Social Security.
New Deal Network
New Deal Network: Great Depression and the Arts
Part of a wonderful website devoted to researching and teaching the Great Depression and the New Deal. These pages are focused specifically on the arts during this time.
Other
Niskayuna High School: Fdr Archive
Learn more about the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt through the collection of political cartoons on this site.
Other
So just.net: Historic Speeches
This site from EdChange.org gives the speeches of many American speakers on various topics related to social justice.
Other
Amistad Digital Resource: The Great Depression
Provides discussion on the Great Depression, the effect this economic crisis had on African American families, and how Roosevelt's New Deal provided relief for black people.
Sam Houston State University
Shsu: Correspondence of Roosevelt and Truman With Stalin
Contains letters of correspondence of Roosevelt and Truman with Stalin on Lend Lease and other aid to the Soviet Union.
Other
Social Security Act of 1935
A good overview of the Social Security Act, what it included, why it was proposed, and those whom it protected. Included are reasons for opposition to the act and mention of those who were left out of coverage. You can also read Franklin...
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: American Women: Eleanor Roosevelt
A brief account of Eleanor Roosevelt's importance to her husband's administration and agenda. Accompanied by a photograph taken by Lotte Jacobi.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Arsenal of Democracy
Although Americans remained isolationist in their thinking, President Roosevelt understood that the European allies needed help against the Germans. Read about the incremental ways America became involved in World War II in Europe...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: War Breaks Out
A brief look at the expansionist moves of Japan in China, including a description of the Rape of Nanking. Also read about the military expansionism in Europe and Africa by both Germany and Italy, finally resulting in a declaration of war...
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Franklin D. Roosevelt: The Forgotten Man
Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers a campaign speech directly to the heart of the lower economic classes of the United States. His goal is to win their votes by offering solution to rescue them from their financial distres as the nation...
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Franklin D. Roosevelt: First Fireside Chat
A transcript of the very first Fireside Chat given by FDR in 1933. He addressed the American people about banking.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Acceptance for Nomination of Second Term
Transcript of President Franklin Roosevelt's acceptance of nomination for a second term.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: The Four Freedoms
A transcribed portion of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's address to Congress on January 6, 1941.
US Department of State
U.s. Department of State: The Yalta Conference, 1945
This site provides a concise summary of the decisions made by Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin at the Yalta Conference in 1945.