SECTION B: DEPTH STUDIES. Depth study D: The United States, 1919–41. American society in the 1920s seemed to be tolerant in some ways but intolerant in others.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] New inventions like the radio became more popular.
2. [1] People could listen to popular music.
3. [1] America's first radio station (Station KDKA) was started in 1920.
4. [1] Dances such as the Charleston replaced the slow formal dances of pre-war America.
5. [1] Jazz and blues became very popular.
6. [1] People went to the cinema.
7. [1] The first 'talkie' was released in 1927.
8. [1] People went to sporting events.
9. [1] People drove their cars for trips out or for holidays.
10. [6] Level 4: Explains two reasons.
11. [4-5] Level 3: Explains one reason. Four marks for one explanation, five marks for explanation supported by specific contextual knowledge.
12. [4] Prohibition was difficult to enforce because it was not illegal to purchase or consume alcohol. Americans continued to drink behind closed doors in illegal bars called speakeasies. There were over 30 000 of these in New York alone by 1929. Others made their own illegal alcohol known as 'moonshine' at home.
13. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid reason(s); addresses the question but does not explain. One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
14. [1] There were illegal bars called speakeasies.
15. [1] People made their own alcohol at home.
16. [1] Consuming alcohol was not made illegal.
17. [1] Many officials who were supposed to enforce prohibition could be bribed.
18. [1] Whisky and rum were smuggled into the USA.
19. [1] There weren't enough enforcement agents.
20. [1] Enforcing prohibition was difficult because of the violence of gangsters.
21. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
22. [1] People liked drinking alcohol.
23. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks
24. [10] Level 5: Explains both sides and supports a valid judgement on 'how far'. One explanation or more on each side.
25. [10] Fear of communism wasn't the main reason for the restrictions placed on immigration. Americans wanted to maintain the supremacy of white, northern Europeans who were most like the original settlers to the US. Therefore, quotas were introduced which radically reduced numbers from South and Eastern Europe but also entirely barred immigrants of Asian origin.
26. [7-9] Level 4: Explains both sides. For candidates to be awarded this level they must have one explanation on each side; one additional mark for each additional explanation on either side.
27. [4-6] Level 3: Explains one side. One Level 3 mark for each explanation.
28. [4] In some ways, fear of communism was a reason for restrictions on immigration. The Red Scare made many Americans more afraid of immigrants. The rise of communism in Russia made them worry about these ideas coming to America. They thought that immigrants from Eastern Europe were bringing these ideas into the country. These fears were made worse when there were bomb attacks in America by anarchists. This was one reason why the Emergency Quota Act restricted immigrants from Russia.
29. [4] There were other reasons. One was that Americans were afraid that white, Anglo-Saxon supremacy would be diluted. The restrictions passed meant it was still possible for people from Northern Europe to emigrate to the US but other groups such as migrants from China and Japan were completely banned.
30. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid points; addresses the question but does not explain. One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
31. [1] People were afraid of communism because of the Red Scare.
32. [1] Russian and Eastern European immigrants were viewed with suspicion.
33. [1] Extreme political ideas were associated with immigrants.
34. [1] Americans thought immigrants would take their jobs.
35. [1] It was felt that immigrants from Eastern Europe and Asia would not mix into American society and accept its values.
36. [1] To make sure that white, northern Europeans stayed in a majority and were in charge.
37. [1] There were racist undertones in society.
38. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
39. [1] The American government discriminated against certain nationalities.
40. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks