This unit focuses on the USA between the world wars, examining the economic, social and political changes that took place between 1919 and 1941.

The purpose of this course is to investigate the American economy, and the reasons for and consequences of the boom of the 1920s, the Depression of the 1930s, and the significance of the beginning of the Second World War. It also promotes an understanding of social changes across the time period, and the political and economic impact of Roosevelt's New Deal.

The course is split into four enquiries:

• ❖ The extent to which the US economy boomed in the 1920s, including the reasons for the boom and why some industries benefitted but not others, the lack of prosperity in agriculture and the extent to which all Americans benefitted.
• ❖ American social change in the 1920s, including the 'Roaring Twenties', intolerance in society, the introduction and success of Prohibition and the changing role of women.
• ❖ The causes and consequences of the Wall Street Crash, including the nature of speculation before the Crash, the impact on the American economy, the social effects and Roosevelt's 1932 election victory.
• ❖ The New Deal, including its introduction in 1933, the extent to which it changed during the 1930s, reasons for continuing unemployment, opposition to the New Deal and its overall success.

Some of the key individuals studied on this course include:

• ❖ Henry Ford.
• ❖ Warren Harding.
• ❖ Calvin Coolidge.
• ❖ Alexander Palmer.
• ❖ Johnny Scopes, Clarence Darrow and William J Bryan.
• ❖ Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti.
• ❖ Al Capone.
• ❖ Herbert Hoover.
• ❖ Franklin D Roosevelt.
• ❖ Huey Long.
• ❖ Father Coughlin.

Some of the key events you will study on this course include:

• ❖ The expansion of the US economy in the 1920s.
• ❖ Weaknesses in the US economy by the end of the 1920s.
• ❖ American society and the 'Roaring Twenties'.
• ❖ Intolerance in US society, including the Red Scare, restrictions on immigration, discrimination against black Americans and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan.
• ❖ The Wall Street Crash and its financial, social and economic effects.
• ❖ The presidential election of 1932.
• ❖ Roosevelt's inauguration and the 'Hundred Days'.
• ❖ New Deal legislation and the alphabet agencies.
• ❖ Opposition to the New Deal, including republican, business radical and Supreme Court opposition.
• ❖ Strengths and weaknesses of the New Deal in dealing with unemployment and the Depression.

The USA 1919 - 1941, is one of the specified depth studies found in Paper 1, where you have a total of 2 hours to complete 3 questions. You must answer 2 questions from the core section of the paper and one question from a choice of two questions on your chosen depth study. Therefore, you will answer one question on The USA 1919 - 1941 if this is your chosen depth study. The question is comprised of 3 sections; a), b), and c).

• ❖ Question a is worth 4 marks. This question will require you to describe key features of the time period. You will be asked to recall 2 relevant points and support them with details or provide at least four relevant points without supporting detail.
• ❖ Question b is worth 6 marks. This question will require you to explain a key event or development. You will need to identify two reasons, support those reasons with relevant factual detail and then explain how the reasons made the event occur.
• ❖ Question c is worth 10 marks. This question will require you to construct an argument to support and challenge an interpretation stated in the question. You will need to have a minimum of three explanations (two on one side and one on the other) in total, fully evaluate the argument and come to a justified conclusion. You will have the opportunity to show your ability to explain and analyse historical events using 2nd order concepts such as causation, consequence, change, continuity, similarity and difference.
• ❖ The USA 1919 - 1941 may also appear on Paper 4, a one-hour paper in which you will give an extended answer to one question about this topic. Check with your teacher to find out if you will be taking this option.