Question 1

What were the main causes of the Wall Street Crash in 1929?

Accepted Answer

The Wall Street Crash was caused by a combination of factors: over-speculation in the stock market, where people bought shares on margin (borrowed money); overproduction in industry and agriculture, leading to falling prices; and a weak banking system with no regulation. The crash triggered the Great Depression because banks failed, businesses closed, and consumer confidence collapsed.

Question 2

How did the New Deal change the role of the federal government?

Accepted Answer

The New Deal dramatically expanded the federal government's role in the economy and welfare. For the first time, the government provided direct relief (e.g., through the Federal Emergency Relief Administration), created jobs (e.g., Works Progress Administration), and introduced social insurance (Social Security Act). This marked a shift from laissez-faire to interventionism, though critics argued it was unconstitutional.

Question 3

Why did the US experience an economic boom in the 1920s?

Accepted Answer

The boom was driven by several factors: mass production techniques (e.g., Henry Ford's assembly line) lowered costs and increased output; consumer credit and advertising encouraged spending; the government pursued pro-business policies (low taxes, tariffs); and World War I had boosted US industry. However, the boom was uneven, benefiting urban areas more than rural ones.

Question 4

What was the impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Accepted Answer

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination. It was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement, but enforcement was slow, and de facto segregation persisted in housing and schools. It also paved the way for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Question 5

How did the 'American Dream' change between 1920 and 1973?

Accepted Answer

In the 1920s, the 'American Dream' was about material success through hard work and consumerism. During the Depression, it became about survival and security. After WWII, it expanded to include home ownership and education (e.g., GI Bill). By the 1960s, critics argued the dream was inaccessible to minorities and the poor, leading to calls for social justice. The 1970s saw disillusionment due to economic stagnation.

Question 6

What role did women play in American society during this period?

Accepted Answer

Women's roles evolved significantly. In the 1920s, the 'flapper' symbolised new freedoms, but most women remained in traditional roles. During WWII, women entered the workforce in large numbers ('Rosie the Riveter'), but were pushed out after the war. The 1960s saw the rise of second-wave feminism, with Betty Friedan's 'The Feminine Mystique' (1963) challenging domesticity. The Equal Pay Act (1963) and Title IX (1972) advanced equality, but pay gaps persisted.

America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality

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