The USA, 1918 to 1941 is an Edexcel iGCSE Breadth Study. It covers the changes in the American society, economy and political system from the end of the First World War to the USA's entry into the Second World War, covering the economic boom, Wall Street Crash, Depression and New Deal, as well as examining the social changes and political ideas that shaped the period.

This course allows you to understand the nature, extent and process of change in the American economy between the wars. You will be able to identify the key features and characteristics of this time period in the USA, and develop the ability to explain, analyse and make judgements about the developments in society during this time.

The course is split into the following enquiries:

• ❖ The economic boom in the USA during the 1920s, the reasons for and consequences of this, as well as the extent of poverty and the industries that did not benefit from the economic changes.
• ❖ Social tension and division in the USA during the 1920s, including the impact of prohibition, the experience of African-Americans and other minority groups, the reaction to immigration, religious tension and the rise of the leisure industry.
• ❖ The economic depression between 1929 and 1933, including the long and short-term causes, the Wall Street Crash, the effects of the Depression on the lives of Americans and the government response.
• ❖ Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal, including his aims and achievements, the work of the alphabet agencies and the effect on American society.
• ❖ Opposition to the New Deal, including Republican criticisms, the Supreme Court and radicals such as Huey Long.

The following key individuals are covered in this course:

• ❖ 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.

This unit is assessed on Paper 2 Section B. The paper contains three questions.

• ❖ Question (a) is worth 6 marks. It will ask you to explain two differences or similarities across the time period. You must use specific details from each example to fully explain the similarities or differences.
• ❖ Question (b) is worth 8 marks. It will ask you to explain two causes or consequences of an event. You must use accurate, relevant and detailed historical facts to show how each cause led to the event, or how each consequence resulted from it.
• ❖ Question (c) is worth 16 marks, and you will have a choice of one of two questions. It will ask you to make a judgement about 'how far' a historical statement is true. You must select at least three points to support your answer, use accurate, relevant and detailed knowledge to explain and analyse whether they support the statement, and reach a judgement based on the points that you have made. The question will give you two bullet points to help you to answer, but you must use at least one more of your own.