Some sectors of the US economy benefited more than others in the 1920s.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] Level 1 One mark for each relevant point; additional mark for supporting detail
2. [1] Advances in chemicals brought new products such as Bakelite and cellophane.
3. [1] Synthetic fabrics such as rayon were introduced.
4. [1] The widespread availability of electricity meant homes and businesses had an efficient power source.
5. [1] Mass production techniques increased productivity and reduced prices.
6. [1] Henry Ford used assembly lines to produce cars.
7. [1] The assembly line method was adopted by other industries such as the manufacture of washing machines/fridges/hoovers.
8. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
9. [4-5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason
10. [4] One of the main reasons Americans could buy consumer goods in the 1920s was that hire purchase was introduced. This meant that workers could buy a new appliance, such as a car or a fridge, and pay for it in instalments. They did not have to pay the full price up front and this made it easier to buy an expensive item. This meant many more people were able to buy household goods.
11. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes reasons
12. [1] More products were available because of mass production.
13. [1] Wages rose and people had more disposable income.
14. [1] There was high employment in the US in the early 1920s.
15. [1] Hire purchase was introduced so products were easier to afford.
16. [1] Mass production meant that prices went down.
17. [1] Republican policies meant less regulation for industries.
18. [1] There were low taxes.
19. [1] There was an increased awareness of consumer goods through advertising.
20. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
21. [1] More people were able to buy things.
22. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far'
23. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
24. [4-6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides 5 to 6 marks
25. [4] The tariff policy was a problem for farmers. The US introduced tariffs to ensure that foreign produced goods were expensive. This was supposed to encourage Americans to buy home grown products. However, it meant that foreign countries could not afford to buy US farm produce and, as US farms were overproducing anyway, this meant prices in the US dropped, therefore farmers became poorer.
26. [4] Another problem facing US farmers was foreign competition. Canada and Argentina began to supply foreign markets with grain. They undercut the price of US produce and this meant farmers were unable to sell their surplus crops.
27. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes
28. [1] European nations would not take US farm products as the US had placed tariffs on imports from Europe.
29. [1] Food exports to Europe were reduced.
30. [1] There was overproduction of foodstuffs.
31. [1] Prices fell which caused hardship for farmers.
32. [1] There was competition from Canada and Argentina.
33. [1] Farmers had borrowed from banks and, with lower prices, they could not pay their debts.
34. [1] Banks seized farms if debts had not been paid.
35. [1] In the South, there was too much reliance on one crop.
36. [1] Crops were lost to pests such as the boll weevil.
37. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
38. [1] Farmers faced bad times in America in the 1920s.