Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Changing living standards: fluctuations in the standard of living,…
Full specification wording
The changing quality of life, 1917–80: Changing living standards: fluctuations in the standard of living, 1917–41; the impact of the Second World War and the growth of a consumer society, 1941–60; living standards, 1961–80, including the impact of anti-poverty policies and economic divisions.
This topic examines how living standards in the USA changed between 1917 and 1980.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 2 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic examines how living standards in the USA changed between 1917 and 1980. You should analyse fluctuations in the standard of living from 1917 to 1941, including the 1920s boom, the Great Depression, and the New Deal's relief efforts. For 1941–60, assess the impact of the Second World War on employment and wages, alongside the post-war growth of a consumer society driven by suburbanisation and mass production. For 1961–80, evaluate living standards by examining the impact of anti-poverty policies, such as Johnson's Great Society and Medicare/Medicaid, and persistent economic divisions across race, gender, and region. Use evidence to evaluate continuity and change in American prosperity and inequality.
What earns the marks
- Explains fluctuations in the standard of living 1917–41, including the 1920s economic boom, the Great Depression, and New Deal interventions.
- Assesses the impact of the Second World War on US living standards, such as full employment, wartime production, and rising wages.
- Analyses the growth of a consumer society 1941–60, including suburban expansion, home ownership, and access to consumer durables.
- Evaluates living standards 1961–80, including the impact of anti-poverty policies like the Great Society, and economic divisions by race, gender, and region.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming living standards rose steadily across the whole period.
Put it right: Identify fluctuations such as the Great Depression and 1970s stagflation.
Treating the Second World War as only destructive.
Put it right: Consider its role in ending the Depression and boosting US employment and wages.
Ignoring economic divisions after 1960.
Put it right: Examine persistent inequalities affecting African Americans, women, and declining industrial regions despite anti-poverty policies.
Exam tips
- Use specific evidence, such as New Deal agencies, 1950s consumer spending, or Great Society legislation, to support your arguments.
- Address all three chronological phases in your essay to show understanding of change over time.
Try the lesson
The start of the The changing quality of life, 1917–80: Changing living standards: fluctuations in the standard of living, 1917–41; the impact of the Second World War and the growth of a consumer society, 1941–60; living standards, 1961–80, including the impact of anti-poverty policies and economic divisions. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
How did the Second World War most significantly impact the living standards of the American working class?
Listen
This topic examines how living standards in the USA changed between 1917 and 1980. You should analyse fluctuations in the standard of living from 1917 to 1941, including the 1920s boom, the Great Depression, and the New Deal's relief efforts. For 1941–60, assess the impact of the Second World War on employment and wages, alongside the post-war growth of a consumer society driven by suburbanisation and mass production. For 1961–80, evaluate living standards by examining the impact of anti-poverty policies, such as Johnson's Great Society and Medicare/Medicaid, and persistent economic divisions across race, gender, and region. Use evidence to evaluate continuity and change in American prosperity and inequality. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains fluctuations in the standard of living 1917–41, including the 1920s economic boom, the Great Depression, and New Deal interventions. Assesses the impact of the Second World War on US living standards, such as full employment, wartime production, and rising wages. Analyses the growth of a consumer society 1941–60, including suburban expansion, home ownership, and access to consumer durables. Evaluates living standards 1961–80, including the impact of anti-poverty policies like the Great Society, and economic divisions by race, gender, and region. A common slip: Assuming living standards rose steadily across the whole period. Instead, identify fluctuations such as the Great Depression and 1970s stagflation. Exam tip: Use specific evidence, such as New Deal agencies, 1950s consumer spending, or Great Society legislation, to support your arguments.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Fluctuations in living standards 1917–41
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Living standards 1961–80 and anti-poverty policies
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See every definition
- Fluctuations in living standards 1917–41
- Changes in the standard of living across this period, including the 1920s boom, the Great Depression and the New Deal's relief efforts.
- Living standards 1961–80 and anti-poverty policies
- Changes in living standards in this period, including the impact of anti-poverty policies and persistent economic divisions across race, gender and region.
Label the diagram
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1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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