2025-2026 MAE Citizenship Class 30

NY Hisorical Society: World War II // The Citizenship Project [E06]

N-400 practice

• Travel and Illegal Entry / Deportation plus Quiz 14: History Groups
• Question 17: Crimes

Preparing the Oath: The 1900s

Voices of Freedom: Ch 10: The 20th Century (Civil Rights movements next week)

A Summary of the US Constituion pdf

N-400 Part 12 Quiz 3 pdf

128 Civics Quiz: The 20th Century Part 1 pdf

USCIS 128:105. Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?

OpenAI. (2026). Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?    [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the president of the United States during both the Great Depression and most of World War II. He is often called FDR. Roosevelt was born in 1882 and became president in 1933.

When Roosevelt became president, the country was facing the Great Depression. Millions of Americans had lost their jobs, many banks had failed, and families struggled to buy food and pay rent.

Roosevelt introduced programs called the New Deal to help the country recover. These programs created jobs, helped workers and farmers, supported banks, and gave aid to poor families.

Some New Deal programs still affect Americans today. One important example is Social Security, created in 1935. Social Security provides money to many retired people, disabled workers, and some families after a worker dies. Millions of Americans still receive Social Security benefits today.

Another important program was the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The FDIC protects money in bank accounts if a bank fails. Because of the FDIC, many Americans feel safer keeping money in banks.

The New Deal also created jobs programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Workers built roads, parks, bridges, schools, and public buildings across the country. Many of these places are still used today.

Another important program was the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The TVA built dams and brought electricity to many rural communities in the South.

Roosevelt also spoke to Americans through radio programs called “fireside chats.” These speeches helped calm fears and gave people hope during difficult times.

In January 1941, before the United States entered World War II, Roosevelt gave an important speech called the Four Freedoms speech. In the speech, he said that all people everywhere should enjoy four basic freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. The speech helped explain why many Americans believed the United States should support democracy and oppose aggressive dictatorships.

In 1939, World War II began in Europe. At first, the United States stayed out of the war. However, after Japan attacked Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States entered World War II.

During the war, Roosevelt worked with Allied leaders such as Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin. The United States produced military equipment, sent troops overseas, and fought against Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Roosevelt was elected president four times and served longer than any other U.S. president. He helped lead the country through two major crises: the Great Depression and World War II.

In April 1945, Roosevelt died while World War II was still continuing. Vice President Harry S. Truman became president after his death.

Franklin Roosevelt is remembered for helping Americans during the Great Depression and leading the United States during most of World War II.

USCIS 128:104. When did the Great Depression start?

OpenAI. (2026). When did the Great Depression start?   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The Great Depression began in 1929 with the stock market crash of 1929, also called the Great Crash. It became the longest and worst economic recession in modern history.

During the 1920s, many Americans believed the economy was very strong. This time was sometimes called the “Roaring Twenties.” Businesses grew, factories made more products, and many people bought new cars, radios, and household items.

At the same time, many Americans invested money in the stock market. Stocks are small shares in companies. People hoped stock prices would keep rising and make them rich. Some people even borrowed money to buy stocks, which made the situation more dangerous.

However, the economy had serious problems. Many workers earned low wages, farmers had large debts, and some businesses made more products than people could buy. Banks and investors also made risky financial decisions.

In October 1929, the stock market suddenly collapsed. Stock prices fell very quickly, and many investors rushed to sell their stocks. Panic spread across the country.

One of the worst days was October 29, 1929, called Black Tuesday. On that day, millions of shares were sold, and stock prices crashed. Many people lost their savings in only a few hours.

After the crash, many banks failed because they lost money or because too many people tried to take out their savings at the same time. Thousands of banks closed during the early years of the Great Depression.

As banks and businesses failed, millions of Americans lost their jobs. Unemployment became very high. Many families could not afford food, clothing, or housing. Some people lost their homes and lived in small communities called “Hoovervilles,” named after President Herbert Hoover.

Farmers also suffered during the 1930s. Severe drought and dust storms damaged farmland in the Great Plains region. This disaster became known as the Dust Bowl. Many farming families moved west to look for work.

In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt became president. He introduced programs called the New Deal to help the country recover. These programs created jobs, helped banks, and gave support to workers, farmers, and families.

The economy slowly improved during the late 1930s. It grew faster during World War II, when factories produced military equipment and millions of people found jobs again.

The Great Depression is important in American history because it changed the role of the federal government. New laws and programs were created to help people during economic crises.

USCIS 128:103. What was the Great Depression?

OpenAI. (2026). What was the Great Depression?   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The Great Depression was the longest and most severe economic recession in modern history. It began in 1929 after the stock market crashed and continued through most of the 1930s.

Before the Great Depression, many Americans believed the economy was strong and growing. People bought stocks, opened businesses, and spent money freely. However, many banks and businesses were weak, and the economy was not as stable as it seemed.

In October 1929, the stock market crashed. This event is often called the Stock Market Crash of 1929 or Black Tuesday. After the crash, many people lost their savings and investments.

As the economy became worse, banks closed and businesses failed. Millions of workers lost their jobs. Many families could not pay for food, housing, or clothing. Some people lost their homes and had to live in temporary communities called “Hoovervilles.”

Farmers also suffered during the Great Depression. In parts of the Great Plains, severe drought and dust storms created the Dust Bowl. Many farming families lost their land and moved to other states looking for work.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt became president in 1933. He introduced programs called the New Deal to help the economy recover. These programs created jobs, helped banks, and provided support for workers and families.

The Great Depression slowly improved during the late 1930s, and the economy grew more quickly during World War II.

The Great Depression is important in American history because it affected millions of people and changed the role of the federal government in helping the economy and supporting citizens during difficult times.

USCIS 128:102. When did all women get the right to vote?

OpenAI. (2026). When did all women get the right to vote?   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

In the early 1900s, many women in the United States worked hard to get the right to vote. These women were called suffragists because they supported women’s voting rights. At that time, women could vote in some western states, but most women could not vote in national elections.

One important leader was Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906). She spent many years giving speeches, organizing campaigns, and asking for equal voting rights. She died before women won the right to vote across the country, but her work inspired many later suffragists.

Another important leader was Carrie Chapman Catt (1859–1947). She led the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). She organized campaigns and worked with politicians and state governments to support a constitutional amendment for women’s voting rights.

At the same time, younger activists such as Alice Paul (1885–1977) believed stronger protests were necessary. She organized large parades, marches, and demonstrations in Washington, D.C. In 1913, thousands of women marched for voting rights the day before President Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) took office.

Later, Alice Paul and other suffragists protested outside the White House. These protesters were called the “Silent Sentinels.” Some women were arrested and sent to jail. While in prison, some suffragists went on hunger strikes to protest their treatment. Newspaper stories about these protests brought more public attention to the movement.

African American women also helped fight for voting rights. Leaders such as Ida B. Wells (1862–1931) worked for both racial equality and women’s suffrage, even though they often faced discrimination.

During World War I (1914–1918), many women worked in factories, hospitals, offices, and transportation jobs while men served in the military. Their work helped convince more Americans that women deserved equal rights, including the right to vote.

As support for women’s suffrage grew, Congress passed the 19th Amendment in 1919. The amendment said that citizens could not be denied the right to vote because of sex.

On August 18, 1920, enough states approved the amendment, and the 19th Amendment became part of the Constitution. Women across the United States gained the legal right to vote in national elections.

Although the amendment greatly expanded voting rights, some women—especially many African American, Native American, and Asian American women—still faced discrimination and voting barriers for many years afterward.

The success of the suffrage movement was an important moment in American history. It expanded democracy and gave millions of women a stronger voice in government and public life.

2025-2026 MAE Citizenship Class 29

iCivics:  Defining Citizenship - Teaching the Fourteenth Amendment

Also watch:

• Annenberg Classroom: The Reconstruction Amendments
• iCivics: The Constitution Explained Playlist English | Spanish
• New York Historical Society: The Emancipation Proclamation
• TED-ED: The electrifying speeches of Sojourner Truth - Daina Ramey Berry
• TED-ED: The breathtaking courage of Harriet Tubman - Janell Hobson
• TED-ED: One of the most "dangerous" men in American history - Keenan Norris
• TED-ED: The historic women’s suffrage march on Washington - Michelle Mehrtens
• The American Experience: The Supreme Court Case that Affirmed Birthright Citizenship

N-400 practice

• N-400 2023: E4 Marriage and Children / Immigration Fraud plus Quiz 13: Civic Groups
• N-400 2024: Questions 15 and 16: Arrests 

Preparing the Oath: The 1800s

Voices of Freedom: Ch 9: The 1800s and the Civil War (follow-up: need to review other amendments and 1800s activism)

A Summary of the US Constituion pdf

N-400 Part 12 Quiz 2 pdf

128 Civics Quiz: The 1800s (saved from last next week)

USCIS 128:101. Why did the United States enter World War I?

OpenAI. (2026). Why did the United States enter World War I?   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

World War I began in 1914, but the United States did not enter the war right away. At first, many Americans wanted the country to remain neutral and stay out of the fighting in Europe. President Woodrow Wilson also hoped the United States could avoid war.

The war was fought between two major groups. The Allied Powers included Great Britain, France, Italy, and Russia. The Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

One important reason the United States entered the war was because Germany attacked U.S. civilian and trade ships. Germany used submarines called U-boats to attack ships in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1915, a German submarine sank the British passenger ship RMS Lusitania. About 1,200 people died, including Americans. This shocked many people in the United States.

Another reason was that the United States wanted to support the Allied Powers. The United States traded heavily with Great Britain and France. Many Americans also felt cultural and political connections with these countries. As the war continued, many people believed an Allied victory was important for democracy and world stability.

The United States also opposed the actions of the Central Powers, especially Germany. Germany’s submarine attacks hurt international trade and threatened American lives and businesses.

In 1917, Americans became even more upset after learning about the Zimmermann Telegram. This was a secret message from Germany to Mexico. Germany promised to help Mexico recover land lost to the United States if Mexico joined the war against America. When the message became public, many Americans demanded stronger action.

Because of these events, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany in April 1917. He said the United States should help make the world “safe for democracy.”

After entering the war, American soldiers and supplies helped the Allied Powers. The fighting ended on November 11, 1918, known today as Veterans Day in the United States.

World War I was important because it changed the role of the United States in the world. After the war, the United States became more involved in international affairs and became a stronger world power.

USCIS 128:100. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.

OpenAI. (2026). Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The 1900s were a time of many wars around the world. During this century, the United States became more involved in world events and fought in several wars overseas. These wars changed American society, the economy, technology, and the role of the United States in the world.

One important war was World War I from 1914 to 1918. At first, the United States stayed neutral and did not join the war. Later, Germany attacked ships connected to the United States, so the U.S. entered the war in 1917. The United States fought with the Allied countries, including Great Britain and France. American soldiers helped defeat Germany, and the war ended in 1918.

About twenty years later, the world entered another war called World War II from 1939 to 1945. Before the United States joined the war, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the Four Freedoms Speech in January 6, 1941. He said that all people should have:

• freedom of speech,
• freedom of religion,
• freedom from want,
• and freedom from fear.

These ideas became important goals during the war.

The United States entered World War II after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. The United States fought against Germany, Italy, and Japan.

During World War II, millions of Americans served in the military or worked in factories to help the war effort. Many women started working.  The war ended in Europe in May 1945 and in Asia in September 1945 after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.

After World War II, the United States and communist countries had many disagreements during a time called the Cold War. One war during this time was the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. North Korea invaded South Korea, and the United States helped defend South Korea. The war ended with an armistice, but Korea is still divided today.

Another Cold War conflict was the Vietnam War, which lasted from the 1950s until 1975. The United States supported South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam. Many Americans disagreed about the war, and large anti-war protests took place across the country. The war had a major impact on American politics and society.

Later, the United States fought in the Persian Gulf War in 1990–1991. The war began after Iraq invaded Kuwait. The United States and its allies forced Iraqi troops to leave Kuwait.

These wars changed the United States in many ways. They affected politics, civil rights, immigration, technology, and the economy. Many Americans served in the military, and many families were affected by war.

USCIS 128:99. Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s.

OpenAI. (2026). Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s.   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

In the 1800s, women in the United States had fewer rights than men. In many places, women could not vote, hold public office, serve on juries, or control their own property after marriage. Many women believed these laws were unfair and began working for change. Their efforts became known as the women’s rights movement.

Many early women’s rights leaders were also active in the movement to end slavery. While attending anti-slavery meetings, some women realized that they were also being denied equal rights. This helped inspire the fight for women’s equality.

One important event was the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 in New York. It was organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815–1902) and Lucretia Mott (1793–1880). At the convention, leaders wrote the Declaration of Sentiments, a document that called for equal rights for women, including the right to vote.

Another important leader was Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906). She traveled across the country giving speeches and organizing campaigns for women’s suffrage, or the right to vote. Anthony worked closely with Stanton for many years. Together, they became two of the most important leaders of the movement.

Sojourner Truth (about 1797–1883) was another important voice. She escaped slavery and later became a powerful speaker for both abolition and women’s rights. In 1851, she gave her famous speech called “Ain’t I a Woman?” in Ohio. In the speech, she argued that Black women deserved the same rights and respect as others.

Harriet Tubman (about 1822–1913) is best known for helping enslaved people escape through the Underground Railroad, but she also supported women’s voting rights later in her life. She spoke at meetings and worked with suffrage leaders.

Another leader, Lucy Stone (1818–1893), became famous for speaking publicly about women’s rights and opposing slavery. She also helped organize national women’s rights groups and published newspapers supporting equality.

The women’s rights movement lasted many years. Finally, in 1920, the United States passed the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote nationwide.

Today, these women are remembered for helping expand freedom and equality in the United States.