Summary: In this lesson, students are given excerpts from Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “fireside chats” and categorize the excerpts according to economic problems. After identifying economic problems and FDR’s comments on the problems, students simulate a fireside chat by making a recording for the class. After listening to the recordings, students complete a simple consumer confidence survey concerning their reactions to the recording. To conclude the lesson, students identify and evaluate a current economic problem and apply the strategy of FDR to promote and build confidence in a proposed solution.
Overarching Questions:
- ECONOMICS: How has technology (e.g., ships, canals, railroads, newspapers, telegraphs, radio, television, the internet and social media) spread ideas and influenced public opinion, the economy and/or the government? Did the changes strengthen or weaken democratic institutions?
- ECONOMICS: What is the proper role of government in the economy? (Especially with regard to economic crises, national defense/security, health and safety of the people, and economic development and practices.)
NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.EconNE.9.b: Compare and contrast the causes and outcomes of the stock market crash in 1929 with other periods of economic instability.
- 6.1.12.EconNE.9.d: Explain the interdependence of various parts of a market economy (i.e., private enterprise, government programs, and the Federal Reserve System).
Link to Lesson: Restoring Consumer Confidence: the-great-depression-lesson-5.pdf (stlouisfed.org)