Unit 6: Set 7: CCC - Activities

Introduction | Selection | Leland's Memoir | Photographs | Activities

Discussion:

1. The Great Depression raised fears of social disorder as the economy collapsed. Was the CCC more effective in building structures on federal and state land in the West, or was it more effective in preventing a generation of young men from becoming permanently unemployed criminals?

2. Mr. Leland seems surprised that he had so many good opportunities for interesting (and relatively easy) jobs in the CCC. Why, do you think, was he singled out for special assignments?

3. Read the excerpt about the selection process carefully. This is a North Dakota document, not a federal document. What does this paragraph tell us about the men selected in North Dakota for the CCC? What can you learn about the values of the North Dakota Public Welfare Board in 1938? Do those values represent the state or just a group of people?

Research:

1. Perry Leland mentions many things that were part of common knowledge in the 1930s, such as “Sam Browne,” but are seldom used today. Identify those terms which are unfamiliar to you and create a list. Can you find out what those words or terms mean? Where do you go to find out more?

2. Mr. Leland refers on Page 8 to dams being built around the West. Research Grand Coulee Dam and Hoover Dam to find out more about these massive engineering projects of the 1930s.

3. Several public parks in North Dakota as well as many dams and federal wildlife refuges, were CCC projects. Is there a CCC project near your home? Can you find structures there of stone or log architecture typical of the CCC?

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