Activity Overview
The election of 1932 proved to be pivotal during the events of the Great Depression. By analyzing and investigating the campaigns and ideas of both candidates in the Election of 1932, students will be able to better understand the election results and the hope FDR instilled in the country with his New Deal initiatives.
Using a T Chart, students will compare and contrast the policies and political selling points of Herbert Hoover and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They should be sure to focus on their backgrounds, economic policies, proposed initiatives, and philosophies. Teachers can choose to add additional topics for students to cover.
Extended Activity
Have students further analyze the “Great Recession” of 2008 by comparing and contrasting the policies and ideas of Barack Obama and John McCain. Have them analyze the initiatives each candidate put forth to solve the issues of the recession and how they compare to those put forth by the candidates of the Election of 1932. This will build connections to current events.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create T Chart comparing and contrasting the ideologies and politics of Hoover and Roosevelt during the election of 1932.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the titles for each cell, enter "Who?", "Economic Policies", "Initiatives", and "Philosophies".
- In one column, write a summary of each topic for Hoover.
- Do the same for Roosevelt in the other column.
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
The election of 1932 proved to be pivotal during the events of the Great Depression. By analyzing and investigating the campaigns and ideas of both candidates in the Election of 1932, students will be able to better understand the election results and the hope FDR instilled in the country with his New Deal initiatives.
Using a T Chart, students will compare and contrast the policies and political selling points of Herbert Hoover and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They should be sure to focus on their backgrounds, economic policies, proposed initiatives, and philosophies. Teachers can choose to add additional topics for students to cover.
Extended Activity
Have students further analyze the “Great Recession” of 2008 by comparing and contrasting the policies and ideas of Barack Obama and John McCain. Have them analyze the initiatives each candidate put forth to solve the issues of the recession and how they compare to those put forth by the candidates of the Election of 1932. This will build connections to current events.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create T Chart comparing and contrasting the ideologies and politics of Hoover and Roosevelt during the election of 1932.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the titles for each cell, enter "Who?", "Economic Policies", "Initiatives", and "Philosophies".
- In one column, write a summary of each topic for Hoover.
- Do the same for Roosevelt in the other column.
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Election of 1932: Herbert Hoover vs. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
How to facilitate a classroom debate on the 1932 election
Encourage students to take on the roles of Hoover and Roosevelt for a lively debate. Role-play makes history come alive and helps students practice critical thinking and persuasive speaking.
Assign roles and prepare research materials
Divide students into two groups—one for Hoover, one for Roosevelt. Assign each student a specific role, such as candidate, campaign manager, or journalist. Provide primary sources or brief biographies to guide their research.
Set debate topics and rules
Choose key topics like economic policies, leadership style, and proposed solutions. Establish simple debate rules to keep discussions respectful and focused. Explain time limits and how each side will respond to questions.
Guide students in creating opening statements
Support each group as they draft opening statements for their candidate. Encourage students to highlight their assigned leader’s strengths and policy ideas using evidence from their research.
Moderate the debate and foster reflection
Act as the moderator, ensuring equal speaking time and respectful exchanges. Conclude with a class reflection on which arguments were most convincing and what students learned about the 1932 election.
Frequently Asked Questions about Election of 1932: Herbert Hoover vs. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
How can I teach the Election of 1932 using a simple T-Chart activity?
To teach the Election of 1932 with a T-Chart, have students create columns for Herbert Hoover and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Under each, compare their backgrounds, economic policies, initiatives, and philosophies. This visual format helps students easily contrast the candidates' approaches during the Great Depression.
What were the main differences between Hoover and FDR's policies in the 1932 election?
Hoover favored limited government intervention, believing the economy would recover naturally, while FDR proposed the New Deal, emphasizing active government programs to provide relief, recovery, and reform. Their economic philosophies shaped their responses to the Great Depression.
What is a good classroom activity to compare presidential candidates during economic crises?
A T-Chart activity works well for comparing presidential candidates during economic crises. Students can list and contrast each candidate's policies, initiatives, and philosophies, then discuss how their ideas addressed the nation’s challenges.
How does the 1932 election compare to the 2008 election in terms of economic policies?
Both the 1932 and 2008 elections featured candidates with contrasting responses to major economic crises. Comparing FDR vs. Hoover with Obama vs. McCain helps students understand the evolution of economic policy, governmental intervention, and leadership during recessions.
Why was the 1932 presidential election important for U.S. history classes?
The 1932 election marked a turning point in U.S. history, leading to the New Deal and expanded government roles in the economy. Teaching this election helps students grasp how leadership and policy choices can impact national recovery during crises.
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