Different groups had different experiences in the United States in the 1920s.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] (a) Many Americans went to speakeasies.
2. [1] (a) Speakeasies were supplied with illegal liquor.
3. [1] (a) Bootleggers smuggled illegal liquor into the country.
4. [1] (a) Some brewed their own drinks known as moonshine.
5. [1] (a) Corrupt policemen and judges did not enforce Prohibition laws.
6. [1] (b) Most people had more leisure time.
7. [1] (b) People had more disposable income.
8. [1] (b) There was an attitude of 'putting the war behind them' and enjoying life.
9. [1] (b) Radios could be purchased in instalments.
10. [1] (b) Cinemas were improving technically.
11. [1] (b) There were numerous sporting heroes and people followed them.
12. [1] (b) The car helped their owners to and from the entertainments.
13. [1] (b) People wanted to listen to jazz music.
14. [5] (b) Entertainment was more in demand in the 1920s because the average working week dropped from 47 hours to 44 hours so people had more leisure time. Average wages rose by 10% in real terms so workers had more disposable income. Many chose to channel this spare time and money into entertainment.
15. [1] (c) Many Americans thought eastern European immigrants were all communists.
16. [1] (c) The 1919 General Strike was considered to be evidence of a communist plot.
17. [1] (c) Sacco and Vanzetti were victims of the Red Scare.
18. [1] (c) Immigration laws discriminated against certain national groups.
19. [1] (c) The Ku Klux Klan intimidated black Americans.
20. [1] (c) There was discrimination against black Americans.
21. [1] (c) Native Americans were discriminated against over jobs and housing.
22. [1] (c) Women were discriminated against over jobs and pay and in politics.
23. [5] (c) New immigrants to the US suffered. People in 1920s America were scared by the idea that communism could take hold in their country. This 'Red Scare' meant immigrants, anyone with extreme political views and anyone who was not a WASP could be targeted. Many new immigrants were from Eastern Europe or Russia and they found it difficult to get work.
24. [5] (c) Black Americans suffered discrimination. The Ku Klux Klan was an important example of intolerance in 1920s America. It was an organisation that believed in white supremacy. The Klan regarded black Americans as inferior and used violence to intimidate them.
25. [10] (c) Explanation of both sides (Level 4, 7-9 marks) with evaluation of 'how far' (Level 5, 10 marks).