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Year 11 - History

American recovery from the Great Depression

America 1920–1973, Opportunity and inequality

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils undergo a period study that provides an unfolding narrative which tells a story about a period that shaped the world we live in today. They look at the key events, developments, people and stories that defined the chosen period.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to evaluate the impact of the New Deal and Second World War on American recovery from the Great Depression.

Key Notes

  • The New Deal supported the American economy.
  • The 1930s continued to be a difficult time for many people.
  • WW2 stimulated the American economy.
  • Unemployment dropped and investment increased during the war.
  • Experiences of economic recovery in the USA were uneven.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • stimulated: something is stimulated if it is encouraged to develop, grow or increase its activity

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The benefits of WW2 were experienced evenly by all groups of Americans.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

The New Deal supported the American economy. The 1930s continued to be a difficult time for many people.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'stimulated'

something is stimulated if it is encouraged to develop, grow or increase its activity.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: The benefits of WW2 were experienced evenly by all groups of Americans. Correction: Women and African Americans enjoyed many benefits from the stimulus created by WW2, but continued discrimination in the armed forces and on the home front meant that they did not always benefit as much as White Americans did from wartime recovery.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 11 History guide library.