The Great Depression and New Deal: Document-Based Essay

Investigate eight documents about the Great Depression and New Deal, then plan an evidence-based essay on causes and the US federal response.
Grades
Grades 8–12
File type
ZIP archive

Updated Sep 18, 2026

Subject
History, Social Studies
Resource types
Teacher Tools

From the author

About this resource

This DBQ includes eight documents with questions to support source analysis, plus an essay outline and rubric. A teacher answer key is not included.

Prompt: What were the major causes of the Great Depression (1929-1941) and what steps did the Federal Government (under FDR) take to help alleviate the suffering of people throughout the country?

Common Core Standards:

CCSSRH.9-10.1

Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending to such features as the date and origin of the information.

CCSSRH.9-10.4

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social studies.

Ccsswhst.9-10.1

Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.

Ccsswhst.9-10.4

Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

This product goes perfectly with this DBQ Outline and rubric, which is included! Help your students think critically!

Thumbnail clipart credit: By Dandy Doodles

DBQ

In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

  • Use document evidence to explain historical causes and evaluate a government response.

Skills covered

  • Source analysis — use the eight documents and supporting questions to gather relevant evidence.
  • Argument writing — organize document evidence around causes and the federal response.

No reviews yet

Downloaded this resource? Tell other teachers how it went.

Resource details

Core concepts

Core concepts

  • Great Depression
  • New Deal
  • Historical argument

Explore more

Categories this resource belongs to

Explore related searches

More to explore

You may also like