The changing quality of life, 1917–80 — Edexcel A-Level History
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The changing quality of life, 1917–80 explained
The changing quality of life, 1917–80 covers 3 specification points, including Impact of boom, bust and recovery, 1917–41;… and Fluctuations in the standard of living,….
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Open a point below for its explanation and revision guidance.
Economic influences: impact of boom, bust and recovery, 1917–41; the impact of the Second World War, post-war affluence and growth, 1941–69; the challenges of the 1970s.
This topic examines how economic change shaped the quality of life in the USA from 1917 to 1980. The 1920s boom brought mass consumption and new consumer goods, but the 1929 crash and Depression caused mass unemployment and hardship, with recovery under the New Deal and wartime mobilisation. The Second World War ended the Depression and expanded industrial output, leading to post-war affluence, suburbanisation and rising living standards to 1969. The 1970s brought stagflation, oil shocks, deindustrialisation and unemployment, challenging assumptions of continuous growth. Students should assess how these phases affected different groups and regions, and how far economic change improved or worsened daily life.
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. 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.
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. 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.
Your focus
- Explain the impact of boom, bust and recovery on American society between 1917 and 1941.
- Analyse the effects of the Second World War and post-war affluence on the quality of life between 1941 and 1969.
- Evaluate the challenges of the 1970s for different groups in American society.
Show all 9 objectives
- Analyse fluctuations in the standard of living between 1917 and 1941, using evidence of the 1920s boom and the Great Depression.
- Assess the impact of the Second World War and the growth of a consumer society between 1941 and 1960.
- Evaluate changes in living standards between 1961 and 1980, including the impact of anti-poverty policies and economic divisions.
- Explain the reasons for increased leisure time between 1917 and 1980, using evidence of working hours and wages.
- Assess the impact of increased leisure time and the growth of spectator sports on US society.
- Evaluate the development and influence of a car-owning culture and improved air travel on American life.
The changing quality of life, 1917–80 exam tips
Marking Points
- Explains the impact of the 1920s boom, the Depression and recovery to 1941 on living standards and employment.
- Analyses how the Second World War and post-war affluence to 1969 changed consumption, work and housing.
- Assesses the challenges of the 1970s, including inflation, unemployment and energy crises, on the quality of life.
- Evaluates the uneven impact of economic change on different social groups, regions and ethnicities.
- Draws supported judgements about the extent to which economic change improved the quality of life across the period.
- 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.
- 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.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use specific economic indicators and events, such as the 1929 Wall Street Crash, wartime production or the 1973 oil crisis.
- 💡Link economic changes directly to effects on housing, health, work and leisure.
- 💡Compare the experiences of different groups to show the uneven impact of economic change.
- 💡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.
- 💡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.
Common Mistakes
- Treating the 1920s boom as universal prosperity; correction: recognise that farmers, older industries and many minority groups did not share in the boom.
- Assuming post-war affluence benefited everyone equally; correction: consider persistent poverty, racial discrimination and regional decline.
- Describing the 1970s only as a period of decline; correction: note continuing technological and social change alongside economic problems.
- Assuming living standards rose steadily across the whole period; correction: identify fluctuations such as the Great Depression and 1970s stagflation.
- Treating the Second World War as only destructive; correction: consider its role in ending the Depression and boosting US employment and wages.
- Ignoring economic divisions after 1960; correction: examine persistent inequalities affecting African Americans, women, and declining industrial regions despite anti-poverty policies.
- Assuming increased leisure time was experienced equally; correction: note class, racial, and regional differences in access to leisure facilities.
- Treating spectator sports as purely recreational; correction: consider their commercial growth, racial integration (e.g., Jackie Robinson), and cultural significance.
- Overlooking the broader influence of car-owning culture; correction: include its impact on infrastructure, such as the 1956 Federal-Aid Highway Act, and the growth of suburbs.