Educating Young People about the Constitution

Presidents and the Constitution, Vol. 2 Federal Power: Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Great Depression

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Presidents and the Constitution Resources

FDR drastically expanded federal power under the New Deal program to help people during the Great Depression; even though the Constitution and the Supreme Court were against the ideas. Since all Executive power comes from Article II, how can Presidents come to different conclusions about what they can do? What are the limits of the Presidency? Directions: Read Dr. Marc Landys Essay The Presidency and Federal Power on pages 4-6. Underline or highlight the facts you think are important.

Impeachment and the Constitution

Constitutional Connection Activity

The President and Federal Power Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and the New Deal
Critical Engagement Question How did Herbert Hoover and Franklin Delano Roosevelt differ in their understanding of the federal governments power to promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty?

Nursing made available through child welfare services under FDR

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The President and Federal Power Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and the New Deal
Objectives Understand the different approaches taken by Hoover and FDR to solving the problems of the Great Depression.
Analyze how the public speeches of Hoover and FDR reflected their different views of the primary purposes and powers of the federal government. Evaluate to what extent the beliefs and actions of Hoover and FDR were consistent with key constitutional principles.

Hoover and Roosevelt on the way to Roosevelts inauguration. March 4, 1933

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The President and Federal Power Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and the New Deal
Background/Homework Brainstorm the terms rugged individual and forgotten man. Draw pictures to visualize each term. Which image of Americans was held by Hoover? By Roosevelt?
Forgotten Man?

Rugged Individual ?

The President and Federal Power Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and the New Deal
Warm-Up Discussion question: According to Hoover, what role should the federal government play in the life of the rugged individual? Discussion question: According to Roosevelt, what role should the government play in the life of the forgotten man? Google FDR New Deal Youtube and watch the video clip
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The President and Federal Power Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and the New Deal
Activity Review Handout B: Excerpts from Hoover and Roosevelt speeches and Handout C: The Purposes of the Federal Government. Study 1-2 quotes from Handout B. For each quote, answer the questions on the next slide:
Quote Examples

The President and Federal Power Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and the New Deal
Activity continued 1) Who do you think made this statement, Hoover or Roosevelt? How do you know? 2) Does this quote support the purpose of government as stated in Column A or B or both? Read their quotes to other people Tape each quote under the appropriate heading on Handout C. Organize the quotes into 7 key themes.

President Hoover making a speech

The President and Federal Power Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and the New Deal
Activity continued

Suggested Themes for Column A (liberty) : protect individual rights limit government encourage self-reliance support private enterprise provide equality of opportunity ensure ordered liberty secure the conditions for the pursuit of happiness

Suggested Themes for Column B (wellbeing): foster group security promote social justice increase government regulation find the forgotten man achieve the common good ensure economic security secure happiness.
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The President and Federal Power Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and the New Deal
Wrap-Up Discuss the following questions: 1) If the main purpose of the federal government is to secure and preserve liberty, how can the President and the citizens ensure that peoples welfare is protected? 2) If the main purpose of federal government is to promote the general welfare, how can the President and the citizens ensure that individual liberty is preserved? 3) If both of these purposes are equally important, how do we strike a balance between them when the nation is faced with economic, social, or political challenges?

Protest in front of Capitol Hill. Courtesy of Ben Schumin

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The President and Federal Power Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and the New Deal
Homework Make a digital or paper collage of images and phrases which reflect Hoovers ideal of the rugged individual or Roosevelts image of the forgotten man. Write a two or three page mini play in which Hoover and Roosevelt debate how to solve the problems of the Depression. The dialogue should reflect Hoovers commitment to the governments role in securing liberty and Roosevelts commitment to governments role in promoting the general welfare. Answer one of the questions posed in the Wrap-Up (previous slide) in a well constructed 3-5 paragraph essay.
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Soup kitchen during the Great Depression-1936

The President and Federal Power Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and the New Deal

Extensions Imagine that it is December 1932The period between President Hoovers defeat and Roosevelts inauguration. Assume the persona of either Hoover or Roosevelt, and write a letter to the other with advice about your plans for dealing with the problems of the Depression.

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The President and Federal Power Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and the New Deal
The Issues Endure Research/review a significant contemporary social or political issue (health care, education, or the War on Terror). Write a multi-paragraph essay analyzing how Hoover might deal with the issue; how Roosevelt might deal with the issue; and then assess whose approach is more consistent with constitutional principles.

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