OCR · GCSE · History
Course version: J410 · Version from Mar 2026
The People and the State (J410/06) - The 1930s and the New Deal: Economic…
Full specification wording
The USA 1919–1948: The People and the State (J410/06) - The 1930s and the New Deal: Economic and social effects of the Great Depression and government response; Presidential election campaigns of 1932; Roosevelt and the First New Deal: the Hundred Days, Alphabet Agencies, including Agricultural Adjustment Agency, Civilian Conservation Corps, Federal Emergency Administration, National Recovery Administration and the Tennessee Valley Authority; the Second New Deal, including Works Progress Administration, Social Security Act, Wagner Act, Resettlement Administration and Farm Security Administration; reactions to, and impact of, the New Deals.
This topic covers the Depression and the New Deal response.
Checked against the OCR J410 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic covers the Depression and the New Deal response. Learn the economic and social effects of the Great Depression, such as mass unemployment, bank failures, homelessness and falling farm incomes, and the government response under Hoover. Study the Presidential election campaigns of 1932, contrasting Hoover and Roosevelt. Then learn Roosevelt's First New Deal: the Hundred Days and the Alphabet Agencies, including the Agricultural Adjustment Agency, Civilian Conservation Corps, Federal Emergency Administration, National Recovery Administration and Tennessee Valley Authority. Cover the Second New Deal, including the Works Progress Administration, Social Security Act, Wagner Act, Resettlement Administration and Farm Security Administration. Finally, examine reactions to, and impact of, the New Deals, including support and opposition.
What earns the marks
- Describes economic and social effects of the Great Depression and the government response.
- Explains key features of the Presidential election campaigns of 1932.
- Identifies First New Deal measures, including the Hundred Days and named Alphabet Agencies.
- Identifies Second New Deal measures, including the Works Progress Administration, Social Security Act, Wagner Act, Resettlement Administration and Farm Security Administration.
- Explains reactions to, and impact of, the New Deals.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Mixes up First and Second New Deal agencies.
Put it right: Sort each named agency into the correct phase.
Assumes all Americans welcomed the New Deal.
Put it right: Recognise opposition from business and some critics.
Treats the Depression as affecting only cities.
Put it right: Include rural and farming hardship.
Confuses the 1932 election with later elections.
Put it right: Keep the Hoover–Roosevelt contest distinct.
Exam tips
- Match each named agency to its purpose before selecting an option.
- Use the wording of the question to decide whether it asks about causes, measures or impact.
- Eliminate options that name an agency from the wrong New Deal phase.
Try the lesson
The start of the The USA 1919–1948: The People and the State (J410/06) - The 1930s and the New Deal: Economic and social effects of the Great Depression and government response; Presidential election campaigns of 1932; Roosevelt and the First New Deal: the Hundred Days, Alphabet Agencies, including Agricultural Adjustment Agency, Civilian Conservation Corps, Federal Emergency Administration, National Recovery Administration and the Tennessee Valley Authority; the Second New Deal, including Works Progress Administration, Social Security Act, Wagner Act, Resettlement Administration and Farm Security Administration; reactions to, and impact of, the New Deals. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What happened to many American banks in the early years of the Great Depression?
Listen
This topic covers the Depression and the New Deal response. Learn the economic and social effects of the Great Depression, such as mass unemployment, bank failures, homelessness and falling farm incomes, and the government response under Hoover. Study the Presidential election campaigns of 1932, contrasting Hoover and Roosevelt. Then learn Roosevelt's First New Deal: the Hundred Days and the Alphabet Agencies, including the Agricultural Adjustment Agency, Civilian Conservation Corps, Federal Emergency Administration, National Recovery Administration and Tennessee Valley Authority. Cover the Second New Deal, including the Works Progress Administration, Social Security Act, Wagner Act, Resettlement Administration and Farm Security Administration. Finally, examine reactions to, and impact of, the New Deals, including support and opposition. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Describes economic and social effects of the Great Depression and the government response. Explains key features of the Presidential election campaigns of 1932. Identifies First New Deal measures, including the Hundred Days and named Alphabet Agencies. Identifies Second New Deal measures, including the Works Progress Administration, Social Security Act, Wagner Act, Resettlement Administration and Farm Security Administration. Exam tip: Match each named agency to its purpose before selecting an option.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Effects of the Great Depression
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The 1932 election
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The First New Deal
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See every definition
- Effects of the Great Depression
- Economic and social effects such as mass unemployment, bank failures, homelessness and falling farm incomes.
- The 1932 election
- The Presidential election campaigns of 1932, contrasting Hoover and Roosevelt.
- The First New Deal
- Roosevelt's First New Deal: the Hundred Days and the Alphabet Agencies, including the Agricultural Adjustment Agency, Civilian Conservation Corps, Federal Emergency Administration, National Recovery Administration and Tennessee Valley Authority.
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