Paper 2, Option 2H.1: The USA, c1920–55: boom, bust and recovery - 3 Impact of the New Deal and the Second World War on the USA to 1945 — Edexcel A-Level History
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Paper 2, Option 2H.1: The USA, c1920–55: boom, bust and recovery - 3 Impact of the New Deal and the Second World War on the USA to 1945 explained
Paper 2, Option 2H.1: The USA, c1920–55: boom, bust and recovery - 3 Impact of the New Deal and the Second World War on the USA to 1945 covers 4 specification points, including The impact of New Deal policies on… and New Deal policies and black Americans; the….
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The New Deal and the economy: the impact of New Deal policies on unemployment and national infrastructure; women and the New Deal, including the role of Eleanor Roosevelt; the state of the US economy in 1940.
The New Deal aimed to tackle unemployment and rebuild infrastructure. Alphabet agencies like the WPA and PWA created jobs, reducing unemployment from roughly 25% in 1933 to about 15% by 1937, though a recession in 1937–38 pushed it up again. By 1940, unemployment remained around 15%, and the economy was still recovering, with national income below 1929 levels. Women benefited less: many New Deal programmes excluded women or paid them less. Eleanor Roosevelt championed women's and civil rights, pressing for female appointments and better conditions. The economy in 1940 was still not fully recovered, but war production soon transformed it.
The impact of the New Deal and the war on ethnic minorities: New Deal policies and black Americans; the Indian Reorganisation Act 1934; change for hispanic Americans; the contribution of ethnic minorities to the war effort; the race riots of 1943; the Double V campaign.
The New Deal and WWII affected ethnic minorities unevenly. New Deal programmes often discriminated against black Americans, with lower wages and exclusion from skilled jobs, though some gains came through agencies like the CCC and NYA. The Indian Reorganisation Act 1934 reversed assimilation policies, promoting tribal self-government and cultural preservation. Hispanic Americans saw limited change, with some New Deal aid but continued discrimination. During WWII, ethnic minorities contributed significantly: black Americans served in segregated units, Hispanic Americans fought, and Native Americans served as code talkers. The 1943 race riots in Detroit and Los Angeles exposed racial tensions. The Double V campaign linked victory abroad with victory against racism at home, raising expectations for civil rights.
Social and cultural changes: WPA support for writers and musicians; changes in the role of women, including impact of the Fair Employment Practices Commission on the status of women and black Americans; wartime domestic propaganda; the power of Hollywood, including war films and the rise of Disney; the growing power of radio; popular music.
This topic examines how federal action and mass media reshaped American culture to 1945. The WPA funded writers and musicians, creating employment and documenting American life. Wartime labour shortages transformed the role of women, drawing millions into defence jobs. The Fair Employment Practices Commission (1941) banned racial discrimination in defence industries, improving the status of black Americans, though its mandate excluded sex discrimination. Wartime domestic propaganda mobilised support through posters and radio. Hollywood produced war films and Disney expanded into propaganda animation. Radio grew as a mass medium for news, while popular music, including swing, reflected wartime society.
The war and the economy, 1941–45: the collapse of unemployment; women and the war effort; the contribution of young people; growing power of trade unions; migration to urban and industrial centres; the growth of new industries.
This topic examines the economic transformation of the USA during the Second World War. Rearmament and total war ended mass unemployment, with millions drawn into war production. Women entered factories and auxiliary services in unprecedented numbers, though often in lower-paid roles and expected to leave after the war. Young people contributed through war work, cadet schemes and early enlistment. Trade unions grew in membership and influence, negotiating wages and conditions in defence plants, though strikes caused tension. Migration to urban and industrial centres, especially on the West Coast and in the North, reshaped population patterns. New industries such as aircraft, shipbuilding, synthetic rubber and electronics expanded rapidly, laying foundations for post-war prosperity.
Your focus
- Analyse the impact of New Deal policies on unemployment and infrastructure.
- Evaluate the extent of change for women during the New Deal, including Eleanor Roosevelt's influence.
- Assess the state of the US economy in 1940.
Show all 12 objectives
- Assess the impact of New Deal policies on black Americans and Hispanic Americans.
- Explain the significance of the Indian Reorganisation Act 1934 for Native Americans.
- Analyse the contribution of ethnic minorities to WWII and the impact of the Double V campaign and 1943 race riots.
- Explain how WPA projects supported writers and musicians.
- Assess the changing role of women and the FEPC's impact on black Americans.
- Analyse the roles of propaganda, Hollywood, radio and popular music in wartime society.
- Explain how the war ended mass unemployment.
- Assess the roles of women, young people and trade unions in the wartime economy.
- Analyse the effects of migration and the growth of new industries.
Paper 2, Option 2H.1: The USA, c1920–55: boom, bust and recovery - 3 Impact of the New Deal and the Second World War on the USA to 1945 exam tips
Marking Points
- Unemployment fell from about 25% in 1933 to about 15% in 1937, but rose again in the 1937–38 recession.
- The WPA and PWA built roads, bridges, schools and hospitals, improving national infrastructure.
- Women were often excluded from New Deal work relief or given lower-paid roles; Eleanor Roosevelt advocated for women's inclusion and rights.
- By 1940, unemployment was still around 15% and national income had not returned to 1929 levels, showing incomplete recovery.
- New Deal policies often discriminated against black Americans, but some agencies provided limited opportunities.
- The Indian Reorganisation Act 1934 ended allotment and encouraged tribal self-government and cultural renewal.
- Hispanic Americans received some New Deal assistance but faced ongoing discrimination and limited change.
- Ethnic minorities contributed to WWII through military service and wartime industries, despite segregation and prejudice.
- The 1943 race riots highlighted deep racial tensions in cities like Detroit and Los Angeles.
- The Double V campaign connected military victory with the fight for racial equality at home.
- Explains that WPA cultural projects employed writers and musicians, producing guides, oral histories and performances that recorded American life.
- Assesses changes in the role of women, driven by wartime labour shortages, and the FEPC's impact on black Americans by opening defence jobs, noting its mandate covered race, not sex.
- Analyses wartime domestic propaganda through posters, radio and film, linking it to mobilisation, rationing and morale.
- Evaluates Hollywood's power, including war films and the rise of Disney's wartime animation, in shaping public attitudes.
- Examines the growing power of radio as a national medium for news, entertainment and advertising.
- Discusses popular music, including swing and jazz, as both entertainment and a reflection of social change.
- Explains how war production absorbed the unemployed and reduced joblessness by 1945.
- Assesses women's wartime work in factories and services, including pay and post-war expectations.
- Analyses the contribution of young people through work, cadet training and military service.
- Evaluates the growing power of trade unions in defence industries and the tensions caused by strikes.
- Examines migration to urban and industrial centres and its social consequences.
- Discusses the growth of new industries such as aircraft, shipbuilding and synthetic rubber.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use specific figures, such as unemployment percentages, to support your arguments.
- 💡Link each New Deal agency to its impact on unemployment or infrastructure.
- 💡When discussing women, refer to both limitations and Eleanor Roosevelt's role.
- 💡Use specific examples, such as the Detroit race riot of 1943, to illustrate tensions.
- 💡Compare the experiences of different ethnic minority groups to show nuance.
- 💡Link the Double V campaign to broader civil rights developments.
- 💡Link each cultural development to the wider theme of federal power and social change.
- 💡Use specific examples such as the Federal Writers' Project or Disney's wartime films to support analysis.
- 💡Balance coverage of government action, media and popular culture in your answer.
- 💡Use economic data and specific industries to support your analysis.
- 💡Connect wartime economic change to the wider theme of federal power and social impact.
- 💡Balance coverage of workers, unions, migration and new industries in your answer.
Common Mistakes
- Error: claiming the New Deal ended the Great Depression by 1940. Correction: unemployment remained high and full recovery came with wartime production.
- Error: stating that women benefited equally from New Deal jobs. Correction: many programmes discriminated against women, and Eleanor Roosevelt worked to improve their position.
- Error: saying the New Deal only helped farmers. Correction: it also created urban infrastructure and employment through agencies like the WPA and PWA.
- Error: assuming the New Deal benefited all ethnic minorities equally. Correction: black Americans and Hispanic Americans often faced discrimination in New Deal programmes.
- Error: confusing the Indian Reorganisation Act 1934 with earlier assimilation policies. Correction: the Act reversed assimilation and promoted tribal self-government.
- Error: overlooking the Double V campaign's role in linking war aims to civil rights. Correction: it was a key black American response to wartime racism.
- Treating the FEPC as banning sex discrimination: correct by explaining its mandate covered race, creed and national origin, while women's employment grew due to labour shortages.
- Assuming all WPA support was purely artistic: correct by noting its employment and documentary purposes.
- Describing propaganda as only posters: correct by including radio, film and other media.
- Claiming unemployment disappeared entirely: correct by noting residual joblessness and regional variation.
- Assuming women achieved equal pay and permanent status: correct by explaining lower wages and post-war pressure to leave.
- Treating union growth as uncontested: correct by noting employer resistance and government intervention.