The Wall Street Crash had economic causes and political and social consequences. DEPTH STUDY D: THE UNITED STATES, 1919–41

Mark scheme

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

1. [1-4] 'Hoover was the Republican candidate.'
2. [1-4] 'Roosevelt was the Democrat candidate.'
3. [1-4] 'Many people blamed Hoover for failing to help people with the problems caused by the Depression.'
4. [1-4] 'Roosevelt emphasised what he had achieved as Governor of New York state where he had organised welfare schemes to help the poor.'
5. [1-4] 'Roosevelt appeared to be more in touch with the people.'
6. [1-4] 'Roosevelt promised a New Deal.'
7. [1-4] 'Hoover's policies were conservative.'
8. [2-3] 'Hoover decided the veterans had to be evicted.'
9. [2-3] 'He asked General MacArthur and the Army to clear the camps.'
10. [2-3] 'Tanks, machine guns and tear gas were used and the tents and shelters were burnt.'
11. [2-3] 'Two veterans were killed and nearly a thousand were injured.'
12. [2-3] 'Hoover failed to keep control of MacArthur's actions.'
13. [2-3] 'Hoover publicly thanked God that the USA still knew how to deal with a mob.'
14. [4-5] 'The Bonus Marchers set up Hoovervilles in Washington. Hoover decided the veterans had to be evicted. He asked General MacArthur and the Army to clear the camps. Tanks, machine guns and tear gas were used and the tents and shelters were burnt. Two veterans were killed and nearly a thousand were injured. This was seen as a disproportionate use of force and Hoover was widely despised for his action.'
15. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons (e.g., disproportionate use of force and perceived insensitivity).
16. [2-3] 'Overproduction meant that prices fell and unemployment increased.'
17. [2-3] 'Buying shares on the margin was risky and if the market fell, speculators lost everything.'
18. [2-3] 'There was an unequal distribution of wealth in the US economy.'
19. [2-3] 'The economy had already begun to slow down by 1927.'
20. [2-3] 'People had already bought the new consumer goods so demand fell.'
21. [2-3] 'Tariffs meant that American companies were not able to sell surplus products overseas.'
22. [4-6] 'Overproduction was an important cause of the crash. American industry produced more cars and other consumer goods than Americans could buy. This meant that the markets became saturated and demand for products fell. This meant that companies would have to start laying off workers.'
23. [4-6] 'However, there were other problems which contributed to the Crash. Speculators were also to blame. They bought shares on the margin. This meant they borrowed money to buy shares. When times were good, the shares would be sold on quickly for a higher value. Banks sometimes gave loans of 90% of the value of the shares which were being bought. When production began to slow down the market fell and the shares lost value. Speculators could not repay their loans to the banks and the banks went bankrupt as a result. This led to the Crash.'
24. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides (A L4 answer will have a minimum of three explanations (2 on one side; 1 on the other). Fuller explanation of one issue to be given two marks. An answer which only has one explanation on one side of the argument cannot be awarded more than 8.)
25. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far' (As Level 4 plus evaluation.)