As students study the events that put the Great Depression into motion and led to the New Deal programs, it's helpful to piece everything together in a visual timeline so they can see the sequence of events. Using a timeline layout, students will identify and describe the major events that led to and occurred during the New Deal. Students should research the numerous economic aspects that led to the Great Depression and include the numerous strategies and programs that the Federal Government undertook to alleviate the harsh struggles faced during the Depression.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options, and update the instructions accordingly.
Possible Events For a New Deal Timeline
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing the events that led to the Great Depression and the implementation of the New Deal.
Engage students by organizing a structured debate on whether the New Deal was effective in addressing the Great Depression. This builds critical thinking and communication skills while deepening understanding of historical perspectives.
Divide students into pairs or small groups and assign each group a different New Deal program. Encourage them to identify its goals, implementation, and impact using reliable sources.
Have each group gather evidence that supports both sides of the debate. This fosters balanced thinking and helps students anticipate counterarguments.
Establish guidelines for respectful discussion and assign roles such as speaker, rebutter, and note-taker. This ensures all students participate and keeps the debate organized.
Facilitate the discussion by prompting students to cite evidence and respond thoughtfully. Conclude with a class reflection on what was learned and how opinions may have changed.
Key events for a New Deal timeline include the Stock Market Crash, the inauguration of FDR, the Dust Bowl, Fireside Chats, Food Strikes, the Memorial Day Massacre, the passage of the FDIC, the end of Prohibition, the First Hundred Days, publication of The Grapes of Wrath, and the creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Including these helps students understand the sequence and impact of the New Deal era.
To teach the New Deal with a timeline, have students research and identify major events leading to and during the New Deal, then arrange them chronologically. Students can describe each event, add illustrations, and present their timeline as a poster or digital project for interactive learning.
Creative alternatives include making a timeline poster for a gallery walk, using digital timeline tools, or incorporating illustrations and student presentations. These formats engage students and allow for group or individual work.
Visual timelines help students see the sequence of historical events and understand how the New Deal responded to the Great Depression. This method enhances comprehension and retention by connecting events visually and contextually.
Instruct students to identify key events, add them to a timeline, describe each event, and create relevant illustrations. They should use research to explain the causes of the Great Depression and the main New Deal programs, then present or submit their completed timeline.