US History II: The Great Depression Assignment on Key Events and Responses

Students seeking in-depth analysis of the Bonus March, Hoover’s policies, and Roosevelt’s New Deal in US History II can find comprehensive insights through this guided video-based questionnaire.

Film “Stormy Weather” The Century: America’s Time

Reflecting on this era helps us grasp how economic hardships shaped everyday lives and political decisions.

1. What was the “Bonus March?” What does this event tell you about the feelings of Americans during this period?
2. What were Hoover’s responses to the Depression?
3. What were some common means of escape for Americans during this era?

Many people turned to simple pleasures to cope with the overwhelming challenges of unemployment and poverty.

4. What were some of the first actions taken by President Roosevelt?
5. Who was Huey Long?
6. What were some of the elements of Roosevelt’s “2nd hundred days” and how were the different from those of the “1st hundred days?”

These shifts in policy reflected evolving strategies to address ongoing economic issues.

7. What was the “revolution” of Roosevelt?

Watch the following video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSfzFWU5LbY

Answer the attached questions above

Engaging with this material allows for a deeper appreciation of how leadership influenced recovery efforts during tough times.

Sample Answer Guides

The Bonus March involved World War I veterans marching on Washington in 1932 to demand early payment of their bonuses, highlighting widespread desperation and frustration among Americans facing economic ruin. Hoover responded to the Depression with measures like the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, but these were often seen as insufficient for direct relief to individuals. Common escapes included movies and radio shows that provided affordable distractions from daily hardships. Roosevelt’s initial actions focused on banking reforms and emergency relief programs to stabilize the economy quickly. Huey Long was a Louisiana senator known for his “Share Our Wealth” program, criticizing the New Deal as not going far enough to redistribute wealth (Hanes 2023, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40458-0_40-2). The second hundred days emphasized social security and labor rights, differing from the first’s focus on immediate recovery by aiming for long-term reforms. Roosevelt’s revolution transformed the role of government in American life through expanded federal intervention and welfare initiatives.

• Answer detailed questions on the Great Depression including the Bonus March and Roosevelt’s actions in a 500-750 word response after watching the specified video for US History II coursework.
• Complete a structured assignment on US History II by responding to seven key questions about the Great Depression in a 3-5 page paper based on the film “Stormy Weather” from The Century series.
• Watch the video and provide answers to questions covering Hoover’s responses, Huey Long, and Roosevelt’s New Deal phases in this US History II task.

References

• Albers, T. N. H. (2018). The prelude and global impact of the Great Depression: Evidence from a new macroeconomic dataset. Explorations in Economic History, 70, pp. 150-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eeh.2018.05.001
• Duque, V. and Schirle, T. (2023). Early-life exposure to the Great Depression and long-term health and economic outcomes. Journal of Human Resources, 58(6), pp. 2029-2065. https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.58.6.0320-10785R2
• Hanes, C. (2023). The Great Depression in the United States. In: Diebolt, C. and Haupert, M. (eds.) Handbook of Cliometrics. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40458-0_40-2
• Welky, D. (2018). Review of Modernity and the Great Depression: The Transformation of American Society, 1930–1941 by Kenneth J. Bindas. The Journal of American History, 104(4), pp. 1025-1026. https://doi.org/10.1093/jahist/jax499