420: Unit 4
History 420: United States, 1861-1941, Winter 2025
Part IV: Depression, World War II
30. Republicans and the Great Crash.
READ Yawp 164-169, 192-196 & 420 Docs, 201-202 & in the Appendix: Crash Cartoon
THINK: Who or what caused the crash? The cartoon follows the explanations in the readings. In class, you'll be asked to identify each element in the cartoon and explain how it contributed to the crash.
31. Two Presidents and the Depression (Feb. 19)
READ: Yawp, 196-209 & 420 Docs, Appendix: Johnson on the New Deal, from A History of the American People
THINK: How does FDR's approach differ from Hoover's? Is there a New Deal ideology? What does the NRA tell us about Roosevelt's ideology? Which of the two dueling document reflects a better understanding of the source of poverty in the 1930s?
As you read about the various new agencies and measures of the New Deal, try to distinguish whether each measure is aimed at relief, recovery or reform.
32. F format: Thursday, Feb. 20, Final draft of research paper due during class time on Turn-it-in on Canvas. There are no rewrites of the research paper. No extensions without the equivalent of a doctor's note.
32. H Format: Thursday, Feb. 20. The New Deal
READ: Yawp, 209-216 & 420 Docs, 203-206. I've started a new study guide for the optional final exam, updated 2-19-25.
THINK: How is the New Deal similar to and different from the Progressive reform program? Do you consider FDR to be a radical, moderate or conservative? Did the New Deal achieve its goals of relief, recovery and reform? You should be able to explain Bernstein's argument.
33. H format: Friday, Feb. 21, Final draft of research paper due during class time on Turn-it-in on Canvas. There are no rewrites of the research paper. No extensions without the equivalent of a doctor's note.
33. F format Monday, Feb. 24, The New Deal.
THINK: How is the New Deal similar to and different from the Progressive reform program? Do you consider FDR to be a radical, moderate or conservative? Did the New Deal achieve its goals of relief, recovery and reform? You should be able to explain Bernstein's argument.
34. A New Deal for Blacks
READ: Yawp, 217-218; 420 Docs, 210-226.
The Upswing, a new book by Robert Putnam & Shaylyn Romney Garrett looks at national trends since the later years of the 19th century and sees an “upswing” in social conditions in the middle of the 20th century. The book presents data showing improved conditions for Black Americans in the areas of health, education, economics and voting. All Americans, they find, made progress in these areas, but progress among Blacks was greater, and in each area they closed the gap with whites. “In measure after measure, the rate of positive change was actually faster in the decades preceding the civil rights revolution than in the decades that followed. And in many cases, progress then stopped or reversed” (Putnam & Romney Garrett, 241). What happened in the 30s and 40s to cause this?
35. New Deal: Final Assessment--Solving the Riddle of Recovery?
READ: Yawp, 218-220 & 420 Docs, 206-210 & 226-227.
THINK: What are the key differences among the four historians' assessments of the New Deal--Sitkoff, Bernstein, Degler and Johnson. Which one(s) makes the most sense to you?
36. The U.S. in a Troubled World
READ: Yawp, 225-233 (bottom) & 420 Docs, 228-236 & Appendix, Chronology of Events leading to US entry into World War II (stop at Pearl Harbor)
Why were Americans isolationistic during the 1930s? Were they right to be? Assess Roosevelt's foreign policy leadership. Compare his "Four Freedoms" pre-war speach to Wilson's "Peace Without Victory" pre-war speach.
37. Jeopardy. Did you actually learn anything this term about US history from 1861-1941? We'll find out.
38. Final Exam Make sure you read the exam conditions at the bottom of the page. Use the bathroom before the the test begins. You will not be able to leave the room until the test is over.
For tips on doing in-class exams, see: In-Class Essays.