New Deal – Green

About the inquiry

This inquiry provides students with an opportunity to learn about the New Deal in an interesting and provocative manner, through the lens of environmentalism. The inquiry establishes this context by opening with a supporting question about the environmental or conservation movement and actions in the first half of the 20th century. With this grounding, students then investigate the relationship between New Deal programs and the environment. Lastly, students focus on the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the economic and environmental reform role the CCC played.

Compelling Question

Was the New Deal green?

Staging Question

Discuss an environmental policy or practice in the news today, such as the Green New Deal.

Supporting Question

What did “green” look like in the early 20th century?

Formative Tasks

Identify and list the different types of conservation.

Sources

Source A: Translation of Chief Seattle Speech Source B: 19th Century Trends in American Conservation Source C: Teddy Roosevelt on Deforestation Source D: John Muir on Yosemite National Park

Supporting Question

To what extent did New Deal programs help the economy while also helping the environment?

Formative Tasks

Construct a Venn diagram determining whether New Deal programs helped the economy, environment, or both.

Sources

Source A: The text of Roosevelt’s “fireside chat” in May 1933 outlining the New Deal Source B: The Living New Deal: New Deal Programs Source C: Khan Academy The New Deal Source D: The Kennedy Center: The New Deal Roosevelt’s Recovery Plan

Supporting Question

Was the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) an economic program or a conservation project?

Formative Tasks

Make a claim about whether the benefits of the CCC were primarily economic or environmental.

Sources

Source A: D. K. Major letter to Robert Fechner regarding funding for the Civilian Conservation Corps; 4/5/1933 Source B: FDR address to Congress creating the CCC Source C: Civilian Conservation Corp was a Boon to Utah Source D: African Americans and the CCC Source E: Zion National Park CCC Projects Images (w/ then and now comparison)

Summative Performance Task

Argument: Was the New Deal Green? Construct an argument (e.g. detailed outline, poster, essay, etc.) that evaluates whether the New Deal was green. Using specific claims and relevant evidence from sources while acknowledging competing views.

Extension: Students will analyze the Green New Deal and participate in a Socratic seminar about how essential economic considerations are to it as an environmental program.

Taking Informed Action

Understand:

Assess:

Act: Students will identify and research a local issue that pits economic interests against environmental interests and create a meme or political cartoon (awareness campaign) that illustrates that tension.

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