Compelling Question: Does the government have an obligation to help the needy?

Supporting Questions: To what extent does the American economy shape the American experience? How did the American economy and American culture change in the 1920’s and 1930’s? Why did American cultural norms shift in the 1920’s? What were the causes and effects of the Great Depression? Should an individual be allowed to pursue economic self-interest without restraint or should economic freedom come to mean economic security – a living wage or a safety net?

Enduring Understandings:

• The 1920s was a time of cultural change in the country, characterized by clashes between modern and traditional values.
• African Americans continued to struggle for social and economic equality while expanding their own thriving and unique culture. African American cultural achievements were increasingly integrated into national culture.
• For many Americans, the 1920s was a time of prosperity. However, underlying economic problems, reflected in the stock market crash of 1929, led to the Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s responses to the Great Depression increased the role of the federal government.

Formal Writing Task:

Students will write a multi-paragraph essay answering the unit Compelling Question: Does the government have an obligation to help the needy? Students should reference topics and documents from the unit. Students should analyze at least three documents. Essays should be scored using the Social Studies Argumentative Writing Rubric.

Performance Task: Was the New Deal a good deal?

Students will use their knowledge from the unit and formal writing task to participate in a debate with classmates representing different opinions.