The New Deal

President Roosevelt inherited a pretty bad situation in 1933. Unlike the previous president, he choose to spend money to help get the U.S. out of the Depression. Although many historians argue that the New Deal was a failure, that it failed to end the Great Depression, it did have its positives, including many programs that still exist today. Based on what you've learned about why the depression started and what the major problems were that people faced during the time, what do you think were the two (2) most important pieces of New Deal legislation passed by FDR and why?

The Great Depression

As we've been going over in class, there have been many causes of the Great Depression. Recessions in a capitalist economy are common occurance, but not to the extent of the Great Depression. What do you think was the single most important cause of the Great Depression based on what you've learned in class the past few days and why? (Remember, the stock market crash was not really a cause, but more like the single event that started the Great Depression.)