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True to Their Word
Anthony Fitzpatrick
The American Institute for History Education
California State Standards
• 11.5 Students analyze the major political, social,
economic, technological, and cultural developments
of the 1920s.
• Discuss the policies of Presidents Warren Harding,
Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover.
California State Standards
• 11.6 Students analyze the different explanations for the Great Depression and
how the New Deal fundamentally changed the role of the federal government.
• Describe the monetary issues of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
that gave rise to the establishment of the Federal Reserve and the weaknesses in
key sectors of the economy in the late 1920s.
• Understand the explanations of the principal causes of the Great Depression and
the steps taken by the Federal Reserve, Congress, and Presidents Herbert Hoover
and Franklin Delano Roosevelt to combat the economic crisis.
• Discuss the human toll of the Depression, natural disasters, and unwise
agricultural practices and their effects on the depopulation of rural regions and
on political movements of the left and right, with particular attention to the Dust
Bowl refugees and their social and economic impacts in California.
• Analyze the effects of and the controversies arising from New Deal economic
policies and the expanded role of the federal government in society and the
economy since the 1930s (e.g., Works Progress Administration, Social Security,
National Labor Relations Board, farm programs, regional development policies,
and energy development projects such as the Tennessee Valley Authority,
California Central Valley Project, and Bonneville Dam).
Using State of the Unions and
Inaugural Addresses in your
classroom
• These speeches are • The American
excellent ways of Presidency Project is
inserting artificial available online through
benchmarks in history the University of
to provide peeks into California – Santa
the goals and vision of Barbara.
the United States of
America.
Why Inaugurals and State of the
Unions?
• They happen (usually) regardless of history.
• Other speeches have historical reasons for
their occurrence. While they can be used, we
want a bird’s eye view of history – popping in
the see how things are doing.
• It’s an EXCELLENT way for students to become
less chronologically impaired without
constantly memorizing dates. (more analytic
than rote.)
WARNING
• This activity is not used to portray
Presidents as liars or deceptive figures.
– It is designed to allow their speeches to serve
as windows into administrative aspirations;
the tone and mood of the American people;
and the various challenges that government
faces in enacting their plans.
Here’s how to start . . .
• Begin with the broad topic that
you’d like to cover – American
prosperity, war, economic
troubles, significant social
movements.
• Then pick the speeches during
and around the events so that
you get a sense of where the
country was.
• You can examine foreshadowing,
or a lack of seeing what is
coming.
• Once you pinpoint a speech, take
a look outward about 3 years to
see how the world was before
and after.
WARNING
Before Woodrow Wilson; the State of the Union
Messages are basically procedural. They are not
the same type of speeches that we hear today.
YES – THAT MEANS BORING
Let’s take a look at some examples before
we delve into events of the past two days.
Civil Rights
John F. Kennedy
Annual Message to the Congress on the State of the Union. January 11, 1962
• But America stands for progress in human rights as well as
economic affairs, and a strong America requires the
assurance of full and equal rights to all its citizens, of any
race or of any color. This administration has shown as never
before how much could be done through the full use of
Executive powers--through the enforcement of laws
already passed by the Congress-through persuasion,
negotiation, and litigation, to secure the constitutional
rights.
Let’s dig . . .
• What is happening in American History with
regard to Civil Rights when Kennedy is giving
this speech?
• What is Kennedy saying about the relationship
between the Executive and Legislative
Branches?
Don’t find yourself in a Ford
Lincoln Kennedy
INSTEAD OF USING THE COINCIDENTAL SIMILARITIES – USE CONTENT!
Abraham Lincoln
Fourth Annual Message December 6, 1864
• At the last session of Congress a proposed amendment of the Constitution
abolishing slavery throughout the United States passed the Senate, but
failed for lack of the requisite two-thirds vote in the House of
Representatives. Although the present is the same Congress and nearly
the same members, and without questioning the wisdom or patriotism of
those who stood in opposition, I venture to recommend the
reconsideration and passage of the measure at the present session. Of
course the abstract question is not changed; but in intervening election
shows almost certainly that the next Congress will pass the measure if this
does not. Hence there is only a question of time as to when the proposed
amendment will go to the States for their action. And as it is to so go at all
events, may we not agree that the sooner the better? It is not claimed
that the election has imposed a duty on members to change their views or
their votes any further than, as an additional element to be considered,
their judgment may be affected by it. It is the voice of the people now for
the first time heard upon the question.
Let’s ask the same questions.
• What is happening in American History with
regard to “Civil Rights” when Lincoln is giving
this speech?
• What is Lincoln saying about the relationship
between the Executive and Legislative
Branches?
What is similar and/or different?
ABE JFK
Andrew Johnson
No More Tears?
Lyndon B. Johnson
First Annual Message
Annual Message to the Congress on the State of the
December 4, 1865
Union. January 8, 1964
• It is one of the greatest acts on record to
have brought 4,000,000 people into
• Let me make one principle of this
freedom. The career of free industry must be
administration abundantly clear: All of
fairly opened to them, and then their future
these increased opportunities--in
prosperity and condition must, after all, rest
employment, in education, in housing,
mainly on themselves. If they fail, and so
and in every field-must be open to
perish away, let us be careful that the failure
Americans of every color. As far as the
shall not be attributable to any denial of
writ of Federal law will run, we must
justice. In all that relates to the destiny of the
abolish not some, but all racial
freedmen we need not be too anxious to
discrimination. For this is not merely an
read the future; many incidents which, from
economic issue, or a social, political, or
a speculative point of view, might raise alarm
international issue. It is a moral issue, and
will quietly settle themselves. Now that
it must be met by the passage this session
slavery is at an end, or near its end, the
of the bill now pending in the House.
greatness of its evil in the point of view of
public economy becomes more and more
apparent. Slavery was essentially a monopoly
of labor, and as such locked the States where
it prevailed against the incoming of free
industry.
What about tracing Civil Rights
chronologically?
• Truman
• Eisenhower
• Kennedy
• Johnson
• Use the Inaugurals and
State of the Unions
around the passing of
key legislation or events
to get a sense of how
things play out.
Prosperity:
the hubris of prosperity
Silent Cal Bill Clinton
American Prosperity
Calvin Coolidge Bill Clinton, Address Before a Joint Session of the
Sixth Annual Message Congress on the State of the Union
December 4, 1928 January 27, 2000
• The country is in the midst of an era of • We are fortunate to be alive at
prosperity more extensive and of peace
more permanent than it has ever this moment in history. Never
before experienced. But, having
reached this position, we should not fail before has our Nation enjoyed, at
to comprehend that it can easily be
lost. It needs more effort for its support once, so much prosperity and
than the less exalted places of the social progress with so little
world. We shall not be permitted to
take our case, but shall continue to be internal crisis and so few external
required to spend our days in
unremitting toil. The actions of the threats. Never before have we
Government must command the had such a blessed opportunity.
confidence of the country. Without this,
our prosperity would be lost. We must
extend to other countries the largest
measure of generosity, moderation, and
patience. In addition to dealing justly,
we can well afford to walk humbly. The
end of government is to keep open the
opportunity for a more abundant life.
The Great Depression/ New Deal
(Which I guess isn’t that new anymore)
Calvin Coolidge
Sixth Annual Message
December 4, 1928
No Congress of the United States ever assembled, on surveying the state
of the Union, has met with a more pleasing prospect than that which
appears at the present time. In the domestic field there is tranquility and
contentment, harmonious relations between management and wage
earner, freedom from industrial strife, and the highest record of years of
prosperity. In the foreign field there is peace, the good will which comes
from mutual understanding, and the knowledge that the problems which
a short time ago appeared so ominous are yielding to the touch of
manifest friendship. The great wealth created by our enterprise and
industry, and saved by our economy, has had the widest distribution
among our own people, and has gone out in a steady stream to serve the
charity and the business of the world. The requirements of existence
have passed beyond the standard of necessity into the region of luxury.
Enlarging production is consumed by an increasing demand at hom6 and
ail expanding commerce abroad. The country can regard the present with
satisfaction and anticipate the future with optimism.
Anchor this speech to a large event
• What comes next?
• Examine the events during the Coolidge
Administration that caused the Great
Depression?
– It is a human gateway into history.
The Stock Market Crash
• October, 1929
– What do we know?
• What were the causes?
• What were the immediate effects of the crash?
• I would ask my students some basic leading questions:
– Around when did it occur?
– Were there significant events before and after that we can
easily identify?
– Who was the President OR are there any Presidents that you
associate with this event?
Herbert Hoover
State of the Union
December 3, 1929
Fortunately, the Federal reserve system had taken measures
to strengthen the position against the day when speculation
would break, which together with the strong position of the
banks has carried the whole credit system through the crisis
without impairment. The capital which has been hitherto
absorbed in stock-market loans for speculative purposes is
now returning to the normal channels of business. There has
been no inflation in the prices of commodities; there has been
no undue accumulation of goods, and foreign trade has
expanded to a magnitude which exerts a steadying influence
upon activity in industry and employment.
Remember yesterday?
• I have, therefore, instituted systematic, voluntary measures of
cooperation with the business institutions and with State and
municipal authorities to make certain that fundamental
businesses of the country shall continue as usual, that wages
and therefore consuming power shall not be reduced, and
that a special effort shall be made to expand construction
work in order to assist in equalizing other deficits in
employment. Due to the enlarged sense of cooperation and
responsibility which has grown in the business world during
the past few years the response has been remarkable and
satisfactory. We have canvassed the Federal Government and
instituted measures of prudent expansion in such work that
should be helpful, and upon which the different departments
will make some early recommendations to Congress.
He said what?
• Was he true to his word?
Well – If my students did some
digging . . .
– In fact – the Dow Jones Industrial Average did
see partial improvement in November and
December; possibly accounting for a rosier
outlook than we would have imagined with the
gift of knowing what comes next!
“We’d like to thank you Herbert Hoover!”
Was he “true to his word”?
• What did the Federal Reserve do?
– Use the excerpt from the speech to examine
policy.
– What did we learn over the past two days that can
add some depth to the narrative of the Hoover
Administration?
A New Deal for Christmas?
Give FDR Goalpoasts:
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Franklin Delano Roosevelt
1st Inaugural Address: 3/4/33 2nd Inaugural Address: 1/20/37
• Finally, in our progress, toward a • To hold to progress today,
resumption of work we require however, is more difficult. Dulled
two safeguards against a return conscience, irresponsibility, and
of the evils of the old order; there ruthless self-interest already
must be a strict supervision of all reappear. Such symptoms of
banking and credits and prosperity may become portents
investments; there must be an of disaster! Prosperity already
end to speculation with other rests the persistence of our
people’s money, and there must progressive purpose. Let us ask
be a provision for an adequate again: Have we reached the goal
but sound currency. of our vision of that fourth day of
March 1933? Have we found our
happy valley?
The New Deal
• Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
– Helped unemployed young men 18 to 25 years old
• Agriculture Adjustment Act (AAA)
– Helped farmers by paying them not to grow crops
• National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)
– Helped business by requiring that businesses in the same industry cooperate
with each other to set prices and output
– Started Public Works Administration (PWA)
– Labor received federal protection for the right to organize.
• Federal Securities Act
– Helped investors, restored confidence in the markets
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
– Helped build dams and other projects along the Tennessee River and its
tributaries
Roosevelt launched the Second New Deal in
the spring of 1935.
• Emergency Relief Appropriations Act –
stopped direct payments to Americans in
need
• Works Progress Administration (WPA) –
largest peacetime jobs program in U.S.
history
• Social Security - Provided guaranteed,
regular payments for many people 65 and
older Included a system of unemployment
insurance
Just a quick note about his first
administration:
• The State of the Union in 1935 is very short
and concentrates almost solely on domestic
issues.
• 1936 begins with a rather lengthy assessment
of international affairs and then delves into
domestic economic and employment policy.
– Even without knowing the specifics – students can
figure out shifting priorities.
Instead of the alphabet soup:
• Give the myriad of acts • We can play it safe and
and letters some have them memorize
grounding in the words the chart – OR . . .
of President Roosevelt.
• What path is he laying
out?
• Is he following the
path?
A Game if you will . . .
• Step 1: Give the kids the • THIS will get them
text or summarized considering the acts
version of the speech. and proposals as more
• Step 2: Call out the than just a chart to
alphabet soup and a memorize. They will
quick definition. consider the intent and
• Step 3: If the act is in implications.
line with his message
the kids give a physical
or verbal indication.
Red light green light.
The “Spiral” of Uncertain Times
Franklin D. Roosevelt 3 - Annual Message to Congress George Bush, Address Before a Joint Session of the
on the State of the Union Congress on Administration Goals
January 6, 1941 February 27, 2001
• The first phase of the invasion of this • Our Nation also needs a clear
Hemisphere would not be the landing strategy to confront the threats of
of regular troops. The necessary the 21st century, threats that are
strategic points would be occupied by
secret agents and their dupes- and more widespread and less
great numbers of them are already certain. They range from
here, and in Latin America. terrorists who threaten with
• As long as the aggressor nations bombs to tyrants in rogue nations
maintain the offensive, they-not we— intent upon developing weapons
will choose the time and the place and of mass destruction. To protect
the method of their attack. our own people, our allies, and
• That is why the future of all the friends, we must develop and we
American Republics is today in serious
danger. must deploy effective missile
• That is why this Annual Message to the defenses.
Congress is unique in our history. • A strong America is the world's
best hope for peace and freedom.
You can even compare a president
within the term of office.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, State of the Union Address.
January 6, 1942
Exactly one year ago today I said to this Congress: "When the
dictators. . . are ready to make war upon us, they will not wait
for an act of war on our part. . . . They—not we—will choose
the time and the place and the method of their attack."
We now know their choice of the time: a peaceful Sunday
morning— December 7, 1941.
We know their choice of the place: an American outpost in the
Pacific.
We know their choice of the method: the method of Hitler
himself.
The Cold
War
Harry S. Truman
State of the Union :January 21, 1946
• I believe it possible that effective means can be
developed through the United Nations Organization
to prohibit, outlaw, and prevent the use of atomic
energy for destructive purposes.
• The power which the United States demonstrated
during the war is the fact that underlies every phase
of our relations with other countries. We cannot
escape the responsibility which it thrusts What we
think, plan, say, and do is of profound significance to
the future of every corner of the world.
You can chronologically hook your
students in!
What about a non-textual way?
Cartoon from December 19, 1929
Find a cartoon just before or after
these speeches are given
• How are people reacting to the President and
his policies?
• What are the pitfalls of using the cartoons?
– (not to say don’t use them – but make sure the
students get the bias and all that good rich
information fit for a top-notch discussion)
Yes Virginia, there are videos!
• The Miller Center for Public Affairs (located at
the University of Virginia) has amassed a TON
of video and audio files of these speeches.
Some with that neat bouncing ball technology
– Inaugurals, State of the Unions, White House
Tapes, policy speeches, etc.
– http://millercenter.org/scripps
– Credit to Dr. Marc Selverstone for this incredible
resource.
What about Extension activites?
• The American Presidency Project also contains
the Party Platforms:
– Has the President remained true to the Party
Platform?
– What is the position of the opposite party? Is
there compromise in the actual politics? Who,
What, When, Where, Why? (How)
How can we alter this strategy to
fit our classrooms?
• Modifications are where it’s at!!!
• A Textbook Scavenger Hunt
• Elementary teachers?
– Handing your students a lengthy speech probably
isn’t something that you’re going to do . . .
• Based on the Presidents you teach:
– stick to the inaugurals.
– Use excerpts and link them to the big-ticket events of the
presidency
– What type of activities can we develop????
And yes . . .
• There is another way to modify this:
– But you’ll have to wait until the summer to hear
the melodic modifications we’ll make.
Tie into White Out!
• In each generation, with toil and tears, we have had to earn our heritage again. If
we fail now then we will have forgotten in abundance what we learned in
hardship: that democracy rests on faith, that freedom asks more than it gives, and
the judgment of God is harshest on those who are most favored.
• If we succeed it will not be because of what we have, but it will be because of
what we are; not because of what we own, but rather because of what we believe.
• For we are a nation of believers. Underneath the clamor of building and the rush
of our day's pursuits, we are believers in justice and liberty and in our own union.
We believe that every man must some day be free. And we believe in ourselves.
• And that is the mistake that our enemies have always made. In my lifetime, in
depression and in war they have awaited our defeat. Each time, from the secret
places of the American heart, came forth the faith that they could not see or that
they could not even imagine. And it brought us victory. And it will again.
• For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed
ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the
unplowed ground. Is our world gone? We say farewell. Is a new world coming? We
welcome it, and we will bend it to the hopes Of man.
Inaugural Address (January 20, 1965)
Lyndon Baines Johnson
Thank You!!!!
• Questions?
• Comments?
afitzpatrick@aihe.info
