Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The Second New Deal, 1935–38: the Wagner Act (1935) and industrial…
Full specification wording
Depression and New Deal, 1929–38: The Second New Deal, 1935–38: the Wagner Act (1935) and industrial relations; the Social Security Act 1935; the Revenue Act 1935; opposition to the Second New Deal.
The Second New Deal shifted towards reform.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The Second New Deal shifted towards reform. The Wagner Act (1935) protected workers' rights to organise and bargain collectively, creating the National Labor Relations Board to oversee elections and investigate unfair practices, which transformed industrial relations and boosted union membership. The Social Security Act 1935 introduced old-age pensions, unemployment insurance and aid to dependent children and the blind, though farm and domestic workers were excluded. The Revenue Act 1935 raised taxes on high incomes and large estates. Opposition to the Second New Deal came from business, the Republican Party, the Liberty League and the Supreme Court.
What earns the marks
- Explains the Wagner Act (1935): it guaranteed workers the right to join unions and bargain collectively, setting up the National Labor Relations Board.
- Explains industrial relations: union membership grew sharply, the CIO organised mass-production industries, and sit-down strikes tested the new legal protections.
- Explains the Social Security Act 1935: it created federal old-age pensions, unemployment insurance funded by payroll taxes, and grants to states for dependent children and the blind.
- Explains the Revenue Act 1935: it increased taxes on high incomes, inheritance and corporate profits, aimed at reducing inequality.
- Explains opposition to the Second New Deal: business groups, the Liberty League and Republicans condemned the measures as class legislation.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the Wagner Act with the Social Security Act.
Put it right by linking the Wagner Act to labour relations and the Social Security Act to welfare provision.
Assuming Social Security covered all workers.
Put it right by noting the exclusion of agricultural and domestic workers.
Claiming the 1935 Social Security Act included disability grants.
Put it right by specifying it covered old-age pensions, unemployment, dependent children and the blind.
Exam tips
- Distinguish the aims of each 1935 Act and the groups each affected.
- Use opposition to show that the Second New Deal was contested, not universally welcomed.
- Refer to specific provisions, such as the National Labor Relations Board, to support analysis.
Try the lesson
The start of the Depression and New Deal, 1929–38: The Second New Deal, 1935–38: the Wagner Act (1935) and industrial relations; the Social Security Act 1935; the Revenue Act 1935; opposition to the Second New Deal. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which 1935 measure established a national system of old-age pensions and unemployment insurance in the United States?
Listen
The Second New Deal shifted towards reform. The Wagner Act (1935) protected workers' rights to organise and bargain collectively, creating the National Labor Relations Board to oversee elections and investigate unfair practices, which transformed industrial relations and boosted union membership. The Social Security Act 1935 introduced old-age pensions, unemployment insurance and aid to dependent children and the blind, though farm and domestic workers were excluded. The Revenue Act 1935 raised taxes on high incomes and large estates. Opposition to the Second New Deal came from business, the Republican Party, the Liberty League and the Supreme Court. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the Wagner Act (1935): it guaranteed workers the right to join unions and bargain collectively, setting up the National Labor Relations Board. Explains industrial relations: union membership grew sharply, the CIO organised mass-production industries, and sit-down strikes tested the new legal protections. Explains the Social Security Act 1935: it created federal old-age pensions, unemployment insurance funded by payroll taxes, and grants to states for dependent children and the blind. Explains the Revenue Act 1935: it increased taxes on high incomes, inheritance and corporate profits, aimed at reducing inequality. A common slip: Confusing the Wagner Act with the Social Security Act. Instead, linking the Wagner Act to labour relations and the Social Security Act to welfare provision. Exam tip: Distinguish the aims of each 1935 Act and the groups each affected.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Labour rights and industrial conflict
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Welfare and social provision
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Taxation and wealth redistribution
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Political and constitutional opposition
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See every definition
- Labour rights and industrial conflict
- The Wagner Act guaranteed workers the right to join unions and bargain collectively, setting up the National Labor Relations Board, while union membership grew sharply and sit-down strikes tested the new legal protections.
- Welfare and social provision
- The Social Security Act 1935 created federal old-age pensions, unemployment insurance funded by payroll taxes, and grants to states for dependent children and the blind, though farm and domestic workers were excluded.
- Taxation and wealth redistribution
- The Revenue Act 1935 increased taxes on high incomes, inheritance and corporate profits, aimed at reducing inequality.
- Political and constitutional opposition
- Opposition came from business, the Republican Party, the Liberty League and the Supreme Court, with business groups, the Liberty League and Republicans condemning the measures as class legislation.
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