Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Leisure and travel: the reasons for, and the impact of, increased leisure…
Full specification wording
The changing quality of life, 1917–80: Leisure and travel: the reasons for, and the impact of, increased leisure time, 1917–80; the growth of spectator sports; the development, and influence, of a car-owning culture and improved air travel.
This topic examines the reasons for and impact of increased leisure time in the USA from 1917 to 1980, alongside the growth of spectator sports, car-owning culture, and improved air travel.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic examines the reasons for and impact of increased leisure time in the USA from 1917 to 1980, alongside the growth of spectator sports, car-owning culture, and improved air travel. You should analyse factors driving increased leisure time, such as shorter working hours, rising wages, and labour-saving appliances, and their impact on American society. For spectator sports, examine the rise of baseball, American football, and boxing, noting the influence of radio and television. Assess the development and influence of a car-owning culture, including the Interstate Highway System, motels, and suburbanisation. Finally, evaluate the influence of improved air travel, from early commercial flights to the Boeing 707 and deregulation, on tourism and mobility.
What earns the marks
- Explains the reasons for increased leisure time 1917–80, such as shorter working weeks, rising real wages, and labour-saving devices.
- Assesses the impact of increased leisure time on US society, including the commercialisation of entertainment and theme parks.
- Analyses the growth of spectator sports, including baseball and American football, and the role of radio and television broadcasting.
- Evaluates the development and influence of a car-owning culture and improved air travel, including suburbanisation, motels, and mass tourism.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming increased leisure time was experienced equally.
Put it right: Note class, racial, and regional differences in access to leisure facilities.
Treating spectator sports as purely recreational.
Put it right: Consider their commercial growth, racial integration (e.g., Jackie Robinson), and cultural significance.
Overlooking the broader influence of car-owning culture.
Put it right: Include its impact on infrastructure, such as the 1956 Federal-Aid Highway Act, and the growth of suburbs.
Exam tips
- Use specific examples, such as Babe Ruth, the Interstate Highway System, or the Boeing 707, to illustrate your points.
- Link changes in leisure and travel to broader economic developments, such as the post-war boom and rising living standards.
Try the lesson
The start of the The changing quality of life, 1917–80: Leisure and travel: the reasons for, and the impact of, increased leisure time, 1917–80; the growth of spectator sports; the development, and influence, of a car-owning culture and improved air travel. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
How did the advent of national radio broadcasting most significantly impact spectator sports in the USA during the 1920s?
Listen
This topic examines the reasons for and impact of increased leisure time in the USA from 1917 to 1980, alongside the growth of spectator sports, car-owning culture, and improved air travel. You should analyse factors driving increased leisure time, such as shorter working hours, rising wages, and labour-saving appliances, and their impact on American society. For spectator sports, examine the rise of baseball, American football, and boxing, noting the influence of radio and television. Assess the development and influence of a car-owning culture, including the Interstate Highway System, motels, and suburbanisation. Finally, evaluate the influence of improved air travel, from early commercial flights to the Boeing 707 and deregulation, on tourism and mobility. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the reasons for increased leisure time 1917–80, such as shorter working weeks, rising real wages, and labour-saving devices. Assesses the impact of increased leisure time on US society, including the commercialisation of entertainment and theme parks. Analyses the growth of spectator sports, including baseball and American football, and the role of radio and television broadcasting. Evaluates the development and influence of a car-owning culture and improved air travel, including suburbanisation, motels, and mass tourism. A common slip: Assuming increased leisure time was experienced equally. Instead, note class, racial, and regional differences in access to leisure facilities. Exam tip: Use specific examples, such as Babe Ruth, the Interstate Highway System, or the Boeing 707, to illustrate your points.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Reasons for and impact of increased leisure time
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Growth of spectator sports
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Development and influence of a car-owning culture
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Improved air travel
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Reasons for and impact of increased leisure time
- Shorter working weeks, rising real wages and labour-saving devices drove it, and its impact included the commercialisation of entertainment and theme parks.
- Growth of spectator sports
- Baseball and American football grew, with radio and television broadcasting playing a role, and it involved commercial growth, racial integration and cultural significance.
- Development and influence of a car-owning culture
- It developed through the Interstate Highway System, motels and suburbanisation, and its influence included infrastructure such as the 1956 Federal-Aid Highway Act and the growth of suburbs.
- Improved air travel
- It ranged from early commercial flights to the Boeing 707 and deregulation, and its influence was on tourism and mobility.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of The changing quality of life, 1917–80: Leisure and travel: the reasons for, and the impact of, increased leisure time, 1917–80; the growth of spectator sports; the development, and influence, of a car-owning culture and improved air travel.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge