Through an exploration of deliberative forums during the Great Depression, this article considers how Americans have turned to civic education in times of national crisis. The 1930s were a deeply threatening time for democracy, and the forum movement sought to counter revolutionary rhetoric and action with a vision of citizenship based on informed, objective analysis. The many tensions inherent in the forming of citizens -- such as critical thinking and patriotism, deliberation and zeal -- continue to demand our attention, and navigating those tensions is essential to the ongoing challenge of choosing our way.