PBS' "American Experience" provides a detailed biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Content includes an overview as well as a focus on Roosevelt's early career, domestic and foreign politics, role as President, and legacy. Supplemental resources include numerous primary source documents, a teacher's guide, and more.

Here you can find a detailed biography of Lyndon B. Johnson and an overview of his presidency. Content includes a focus on LBJ's early career, domestic politics, foreign affairs, presidential politics, and legacy. A teacher's guide and a timeline are also included.

The stock market crash on October 29, 1929 -- known as Black Tuesday -- was the "worst economic collapse in the history of the modern industrial world." It spread from the United States to national economies across the globe. It ended a decade known for its high-spirited free-spending, called the Roaring 20s, and began almost 10 years of financial desperation that would touch nearly every citizen of the United States. The Great Depression caused bank closures and business failures and by its end, saw "more than 15 million Americans (one-quarter of the workforce)" unemployed. Herbert Hoover, president at the time, did not acknowledge the depth of the crisis and assumed that the American characteristics of individualism and self reliance would quickly bring the nation out of the disaster without a need for federal intervention. But, layoffs and financial desperation at the personal level were growing: "an empty pocket turned inside out was called a 'Hoover flag' [and] the decrepit shanty towns springing up around the country were called 'Hoovervilles'." Three years into the financial crisis, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, running on a platform of federal recovery programs called the "New Deal," easily took the presidential election of 1932.

A short easy-to-understand explanation of federalism and tug-of-war between state government power and federal government power.

For upper level classes and abilities only. A very scholarly explanation of the causes of the Great Depression and steps Franklin Roosevelt to end it. An excellent source due to its thorough analysis and detail.

In this activity students read two letters (one from Hoover, one from FDR) to determine different political beliefs that guided the presidents in their responses to the Great Depression.

Seven-lesson collection of lessons and suggested activities for instructing early learners about the Dust Bowl using a variety of primary sources (songs, letters, photos, etc.).

In this activity students learn about the goals of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the opportunities it provided for young men. Students create poster presentations about different aspects of the CCC by combining photographs and quotes from primary sources. Students will need poster-making supplies (including poster board or paper, markers, scissors, and glue/markers).

This collection uses primary sources to the history of food stamp programs. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

Text of Franklin D. Roosevelt's first Inaugural address. In this speech, he outlines the world crisis facing the country in 1933. He also outlines the aims of government programs and his primary goal, which was to relieve unemployment by putting Americans back to work. He also addresses foreign policy and preparations of the military to protect Americans at home. His famous quote, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" can be found in the first part of the speech.

In this activity students read letters from ordinary people to government leaders in the Roosevelt Administration. Then they interpret the range of attitudes about the changing role of the federal government during the New Deal. The letters for this activity all contain reading supports and teachers can differentiate this activity for different levels of learners by choosing which letters to use in the activity.

Learn about Social Security and the New Deal at this inquiry-based site. Contains many primary source documents for students to critique, a timeline, video, audio, assignments and a webquest.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Read about the New Deal, its programs, and the ways it helped a nation in the grips of the Great Depression. The New Deal was not universally popular, so find out what Franklin Roosevelt did to keep the concept of the New Deal alive.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A good assessment of the Works Progress Administration and its contribution not only of providing jobs for the unemployed during the Great Depression, but for the lasting improvements it made in the nation's infrastructure and the arts.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Alan Brinkley addresses the ways the New Deal development drew on experiences in other nations, particularly in the blurred areas between fascism, liberal democracy, and communism. [01:13:06]

[Free Registration/Login Required] A very interesting essay showing how the Great Depression affected women as housewives and as employees. See how many New Deal programs discriminated against women, and find out who supported women's issues.

How do historians analyze sources from the past? Khan Academy's historian Kim Kutz Elliott and grammarian David Rheinstrom continue their conversation about how to interpret Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address. [13:48]

Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.

What's the difference between a primary source and a secondary source? Khan Academy's historian Kim Kutz Elliott and grammarian David Rheinstrom discuss reading sources by examining Franklin Delano Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address. [12:34]

Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.

Excellent information on the textile mills of the 1920s and 30s. Problems such as production and demand, strikes, and the General Strike of 1934 are discussed. Included are first person accounts.

A site for reading all about the National Industrial Recovery Act and view the complete transcript of the original text.