How does this stimulus plan compare to FDR's New Deal? What was the reaction to the New Deal when it was proposed? Can you describe a lesson plan comparing these two big stimulus packages?
David Tucker responds:
I personally think this stimulus bill is much less intrusive
than the New Deal. You have to understand the New Deal actually came in two
phases. While the New Deal may have actually represented a smaller percentage
of the total GNP than the new 2009 Stimulus, it represented an expansion of
government into the everyday lives of Americans that had NEVER been seen EVER
in American history. None of us can say today that government programs and
employment have been absent from their lives. Most Americans in 1920 could say
the federal government had near NOTHING to do with their everyday existence.
In a simple to construct lesson, I would break students up
into teams comparing sections of the New Deal and this new stimulus. For
example, students could take info from recovery.gov and compare it to
transportation spending in 1933-1938 as a share of GDP in each time. A table
could serve as a way to keep this organized. Student teams could then place
this info in a PowerPoint presentation, and allow other students to record
other groups' findings on their own respective charts. You could then tie is
all together comparing/contrasting this information.
Bruce Damasio responds:
It is an example of presidential and governmental action but
the times and events are much different in 2009 than they were in 1933 when the
New Deal was proposed and began. I would look into the site for the Center for
Economic Education and access their lessons on Econedlink as well as in their book:US History:
Eyes on the Economy.
You could also study the Great Depression and the reactions
of labor unions, politicians, social and other costs incurred. Also, predict
the reactions to the current causes of this present crisis to the causes of that
time would be another way to study this question you raised. Good luck!
Peggy Pelt responds:
The New Deal and stimulus plan both include programs of job
creation through infrastructure development. The New Deal had government jobs
programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps. The stimulus plan's
infrastructure employment may not involve such direct government employment. Public
reaction to the New Deal was divided, as is the case with the stimulus plan. The
Classical Economic theory widely accepted as the Depression began believed the
market system would recover by itself without government involvement -- which
supported opposition. However, as the Depression worsened people became more
desperate for some action -- which caused support for the programs. A lesson
plan comparing the two stimulus packages could involve comparing the cost of each
as a percentage of GDP. (Comparing dollar costs would be misleading as to the
overall impact on the economy.) A report on the history of work by the CCC or
similar New Deal programs in your area would be interesting. New Deal workers
in various programs built parks, transportation systems, libraries, hospitals,
schools, etc. (Such information would emphasize the long-term effect of such
programs.)
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