Bust – Americans' experiences of the Depression and New Deal — AQA GCSE History

The Great Depression of the 1930s was the most severe economic crisis in American history, and its impact on ordinary Americans was devastating. This topic explores how the Depression affected different groups—such as farmers, industrial workers, African Americans, and women—and how they responded to the crisis. It also examines the New Deal, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's ambitious programme of relief, recovery, and reform, which aimed to alleviate suffering and reshape the role of the federal government. Understanding these experiences is crucial for grasping how the Depression transformed American society and politics.

The New Deal introduced landmark policies like the Social Security Act, the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which provided jobs, welfare, and infrastructure. However, it also faced criticism from both the left (e.g., Huey Long's 'Share Our Wealth' plan) and the right (e.g., the Supreme Court striking down key legislation). This topic requires you to evaluate the extent to which the New Deal succeeded in helping Americans, considering regional and racial variations. It also connects to broader themes of government intervention, economic cycles, and social justice, which are central to the AQA GCSE History specification.

By studying this topic, you will develop skills in analysing primary sources (e.g., photographs, letters, and political cartoons) and evaluating historical interpretations. You will also learn to assess the impact of economic policies on different social groups, a key skill for your exams. This knowledge is not only essential for your GCSE but also provides a foundation for understanding modern debates about the role of government in economic crises.

• →The Dust Bowl: A severe drought in the Great Plains during the 1930s, causing massive soil erosion and forcing many farmers to migrate, especially to California (as depicted in Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath').
• →Alphabet Agencies: Nickname for New Deal agencies like the AAA (Agricultural Adjustment Act), CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), and NRA (National Recovery Administration), which aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform.
• →The 'New Deal Coalition': The political alliance of diverse groups (urban workers, African Americans, Southern whites, and immigrants) that supported the Democratic Party from the 1930s onward.
• →The 'Bank Holiday' and the Emergency Banking Act: FDR's immediate action to close all banks temporarily to prevent collapse, followed by legislation to restore confidence in the banking system.
• →The 'Court Packing' Controversy: FDR's attempt in 1937 to increase the number of Supreme Court justices to prevent them from striking down New Deal legislation, which was seen as a threat to the separation of powers.

• Impact of the Depression on unemployment, farmers, and businessmen
• Hoover's responses to the Depression and his subsequent unpopularity
• Roosevelt's election as president
• Successes and limitations of the New Deal
• Opposition to the New Deal from the Supreme Court, Republicans, and Radical politicians
• Roosevelt's contribution as president
• Role of popular culture during the period
• Impact of the Second World War on economic recovery, including Lend Lease and exports
• Social developments during the Second World War, specifically regarding African-Americans and women

• 💡Ensure you can evaluate the effectiveness of the New Deal by considering both successes and limitations.
• 💡Be prepared to discuss opposition to the New Deal from various political and legal perspectives.
• 💡Understand the transition from the Depression to the economic recovery driven by the Second World War.
• 💡Use specific examples of New Deal agencies and their impact on different groups. For instance, explain how the CCC provided jobs for young men but excluded women, or how the WPA employed artists and writers. This shows detailed knowledge.
• 💡When evaluating the success of the New Deal, consider both short-term relief and long-term reform. A balanced argument that acknowledges limitations (e.g., failure to end the Depression) while recognising achievements (e.g., Social Security) will score higher marks.
• 💡Analyse sources critically: look for the purpose, audience, and bias. For example, a photograph of a Dust Bowl migrant might be intended to evoke sympathy and support for New Deal policies. Use contextual knowledge to infer what the source reveals about experiences.

• Misconception: The New Deal ended the Great Depression. Correction: While the New Deal provided relief and reformed the economy, the Depression only truly ended with the massive spending of World War II. Unemployment remained high (around 15%) until the war.
• Misconception: The New Deal helped all Americans equally. Correction: Many groups, especially African Americans and women, were often excluded from New Deal benefits. For example, the AAA paid white landowners to reduce crop production, but sharecroppers (many of whom were black) were often evicted without compensation.
• Misconception: FDR's policies were universally popular. Correction: The New Deal faced strong opposition from conservatives, business leaders, and even some left-wing critics like Huey Long, who argued it did not go far enough. The Supreme Court struck down several key programmes.