Year 11 - History
World War Two and the US economy
America 1920–1973, Opportunity and inequality
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 explain how the Second World War affected the American economy.
Key Notes
- The USA joined the Second World War in December 1941.
- In the 1930s, Neutrality Acts had kept the USA out of foreign conflicts
- Cash and Carry and Lend Lease involved the US in supplying countries like Britain with wartime supplies.
- Rearmament led to growth in industrial and agricultural production.
- Rearmament led to a significant fall in American unemployment.
Vocabulary To Learn
- neutrality: neutrality involves avoiding involvement in a conflict; this includes not doing anything to help those who are fighting
- Lend Lease: Lend Lease was an American policy which involved supplying countries like Britain with wartime supplies free of charge
- arsenal: an arsenal is a building or place where weapons and military equipment are made or stored
- rearmament: rearmament is the process of supplying yourself or others with new weapons to rebuild military strength
- GDP: GDP refers to the total value of goods and services produced by a country in a year
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The economic impacts of wartime production were confined to weapons manufacturers.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
The USA joined the Second World War in December 1941. In the 1930s, Neutrality Acts had kept the USA out of foreign conflicts.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'neutrality'
neutrality involves avoiding involvement in a conflict; this includes not doing anything to help those who are fighting.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: The economic impacts of wartime production were confined to weapons manufacturers. Correction: Wartime demand extended to a wide range of goods including weapons, foodstuffs, fuel and raw materials. This led to many sectors of the US economy benefitting from wartime production.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 1930s American popular culture Study Guide
- American people and the 'boom' in the 1920s Study Guide
- American recovery from the Great Depression Study Guide
- American society in the 1920s Study Guide
- Black Power and the Civil Rights Movement Study Guide
- Causes of the 'boom' Study Guide
- Change in Post-War America Study Guide
- Civil rights legislation in the 1960s Study Guide
- Direct action and the Civil Rights Movement Study Guide
- Effects of the Great Depression on American society Study Guide
- Losers of the 'boom' in 1920s America Study Guide
- Martin Luther King and peaceful protest Study Guide
- McCarthyism and the second Red Scare Study Guide
- Opposition to the New Deal Study Guide
- Post-war American popular culture Study Guide
- President Hoover and the 1932 presidential election Study Guide
- Racial tension in early 20th century America Study Guide
- Roosevelt's New Deal Study Guide
- Segregation in the USA Study Guide
- Social and civil progress in the USA, c.1950-1973 Study Guide
- The American Dream in the 1940s and 1950s Study Guide
- The Great Depression Study Guide
- The New Frontier and Great Society Study Guide
- The Red Scare in 1920s America Study Guide
- The role of Henry Ford in the 'boom' Study Guide
- The US Feminist Movement in the 1960s and 1970s Study Guide
- The Wall Street Crash Study Guide
- Women and the 'boom' in 1920s America Study Guide
- World War Two and US society Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 11 History guide library.