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DocsTeachThe online tool for teaching with documents, from the National Archives National Archives Foundation National Archives

Analyzing FDR's First Inaugural Address

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Analyzing FDR

About this Activity

  • Created by:National Archives Education Team
  • Historical Era:The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945)
  • Thinking Skill:Historical Analysis & Interpretation
  • Bloom's Taxonomy:Analyzing
  • Grade Level:Middle School
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Please use a tablet or desktop computer to use this activity.
In this activity, students will analyze President Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous first inaugural address to explain the problems and proposed solutions to the Great Depression. 
https://docsteach.org/activities/student/analyzing-fdrs-first-inaugural-address

Suggested Teaching Instructions

This activity can be used during a unit on the Great Depression. It can serve as an introduction to the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal. For grades 6-12. Approximate time needed is 20 minutes.
 
Present the activity to the entire class. Inform students that they will be reading and summarizing a famous inaugural address. Explain to students that inauguration is the ceremonial process in which a person elected begins the term of the Presidency. After taking the Presidential oath of office, Presidents give a speech known as their inaugural address. One of the most famous inaugural addresses is FDR's speech given in March 1933 at the height of the Great Depression.

To begin, model document analysis. Read the opening aloud as a class and direct students to pay attention to the overall purpose and tone of the document. As you read the opening paragraph, direct students to note the following:

  • What specific problems does FDR explain were caused by the Great Depression?
  • What specific solutions does FDR propose to solve those problems?

After discussing the initial problems and solutions, direct students to continue reading the speech, noting the problems and solutions along the way. Check progress and ask students to share their findings.

After completing the activity, ask students to compare FDR's inaugural to other Presidential inaugural addresses or speeches during times of crises (for example, Lincoln's second inaugural).
 

This activity was adapted from "FDR Election" in the New York City Department of Education's Passport to Social Studies, Grade 8, Unit 4, Lesson 14 (pg. 184-190).

Documents in this activity

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address

CC0
To the extent possible under law, National Archives Education Team has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to "Analyzing FDR's First Inaugural Address".

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