Summary: This activity presents students with a 1937 letter written by newspaper publisher Frank Gannett opposing President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's plan to "reorganize the judiciary." Students will read and analyze this letter to understand Gannett's perspective on this controversial issue. At the conclusion, a discussion with students highlights the Supreme Court interpretation of the law, President nomination and Senate approval of justices, and “life during good behavior” term for justices. As an extension activity, assign students to read and respond to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s fireside chat on the reorganization of the judiciary. (See supplemental link) .
Overarching Questions:
- CIVICS: How well does the government balance individual rights and the common good, including the need to maintain order, safety and a healthy environment, during this time period?
- CIVICS: Have individuals and groups influenced public policy during this time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?
NJ Student learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.CivicsPR.10.a: Analyze how the Supreme Court has interpreted the Constitution to define and expand individual rights and use evidence to document the long-term impact of these decisions on the protection of civil and human rights.
Link to Lesson: Court Packing vs. Reorganizing: The Supreme Court in the New Deal | DocsTeach
Supplemental Link: Fireside Chat on Reorganization of the Judiciary | DocsTeach