Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 - 3 The New Deal and…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 39.1: Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 - 3 The New Deal and race relations, 1933–41: The failure to address black grievances: continuation of Jim Crow Laws, exclusion of black voters and the defeat of federal attempts at anti-lynching legislation.
The New Deal failed to address black grievances in three ways.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The New Deal failed to address black grievances in three ways. Jim Crow laws continued to enforce racial segregation in schools, transport and public places across the South. Black voters were excluded through poll taxes, literacy tests and intimidation, so few could influence politics. Federal anti-lynching legislation was defeated in Congress, despite bills such as Costigan-Wagner, because southern Democrats blocked it. Roosevelt did not push hard for these measures, needing southern support for New Deal programmes. Consequently, black Americans gained some economic relief but remained second-class citizens.
What earns the marks
- Describe how Jim Crow laws maintained segregation and discrimination in the South during the 1930s.
- Explain the methods used to exclude black voters, such as poll taxes, literacy tests and violence.
- Show that federal anti-lynching legislation was introduced but defeated in Congress, using the Costigan-Wagner bill as an example.
- Link these failures to political factors, especially southern Democrat influence and Roosevelt's priorities.
- Assess the extent to which the New Deal failed black Americans, considering both economic gains and continued civil rights abuses.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming the New Deal ended Jim Crow.
Put it right: Jim Crow laws remained in force throughout the 1930s and beyond.
Believing all black voters were excluded everywhere.
Put it right: Exclusion was most severe in the South, while some northern black voters could vote, though often facing discrimination.
Thinking Roosevelt openly supported anti-lynching bills.
Put it right: Roosevelt privately sympathised but did not publicly campaign for them, fearing loss of southern Democrat support.
Exam tips
- Use specific examples, such as the Costigan-Wagner bill, to support your points.
- Explain the mechanisms of voter exclusion, not just that exclusion happened.
- Consider both the failures and any limited successes of the New Deal for black Americans to reach a balanced judgement.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 39.1: Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 - 3 The New Deal and race relations, 1933–41: The failure to address black grievances: continuation of Jim Crow Laws, exclusion of black voters and the defeat of federal attempts at anti-lynching legislation. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which system of racial segregation remained in force across the southern states throughout the 1930s?
Listen
The New Deal failed to address black grievances in three ways. Jim Crow laws continued to enforce racial segregation in schools, transport and public places across the South. Black voters were excluded through poll taxes, literacy tests and intimidation, so few could influence politics. Federal anti-lynching legislation was defeated in Congress, despite bills such as Costigan-Wagner, because southern Democrats blocked it. Roosevelt did not push hard for these measures, needing southern support for New Deal programmes. Consequently, black Americans gained some economic relief but remained second-class citizens. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Describe how Jim Crow laws maintained segregation and discrimination in the South during the 1930s. Explain the methods used to exclude black voters, such as poll taxes, literacy tests and violence. Show that federal anti-lynching legislation was introduced but defeated in Congress, using the Costigan-Wagner bill as an example. Link these failures to political factors, especially southern Democrat influence and Roosevelt's priorities. A common slip: Assuming the New Deal ended Jim Crow. Instead, Jim Crow laws remained in force throughout the 1930s and beyond. Exam tip: Use specific examples, such as the Costigan-Wagner bill, to support your points.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Jim Crow segregation
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Voter suppression
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Anti-lynching legislation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Jim Crow segregation
- Laws that continued to enforce racial segregation in schools, transport and public places across the South.
- Voter suppression
- Exclusion of black voters through poll taxes, literacy tests and intimidation, so few could influence politics.
- Anti-lynching legislation
- Federal attempts to address lynching that were defeated in Congress, despite bills such as Costigan-Wagner, because southern Democrats blocked it.
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Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 39.1: Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 - 3 The New Deal and race relations, 1933–41: The failure to address black grievances: continuation of Jim Crow Laws, exclusion of black voters and the defeat of federal attempts at anti-lynching legislation.
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