SECTION B: DEPTH STUDIES. Depth study D: The United States, 1919–41. Some Americans questioned the effectiveness of the New Deal.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] The Agricultural Adjustment Administration was established in 1933.
2. [1] Farmers were paid to destroy some of their crops so that prices rose.
3. [1] Farmers were paid to take some of their land out of cultivation.
4. [1] Millions of acres of crops were ploughed up.
5. [1] The Resettlement Administration was set up in 1935.
6. [1] The RA was meant to help sharecroppers and farm labourers.
7. [1] It moved families to better land and houses.
8. [1] The Farm Security Administration replaced the RA in 1937.
9. [1] The FSA provided loans so that tenant farmers could buy their own land.
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] Huey Long did not think the New Deal went far enough. His 'Share our Wealth' scheme included the confiscation of large fortunes which could then be redistributed to the poor, such as the elderly. He believed there was enough money in the United States to look after everyone but that it was not distributed fairly. He thought the New Deal should have addressed this.
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] Huey Long wanted to redistribute wealth.
15. [1] He thought the New Deal did not go far enough.
16. [1] He believed there should be a minimum wage.
17. [1] He wanted to confiscate large fortunes.
18. [1] He thought there should be more help for the elderly.
19. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
20. [1] Huey Long had been the governor of Louisiana and wanted to run for president but he was assassinated.
21. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks
22. [10] Level 5: Explains both sides and supports a valid judgement on 'how far'. One explanation or more on each side.
23. [10] Saving the banks was the most crucial condition for solving unemployment and social welfare. Without any effective banking system, the US government would not have enough money for the CCC and the PWA. Overall, it improved the business situation and the morale of the public. Thus, saving the banking system was the greatest achievement.
24. [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.
25. [4-6] Level 3: Explains one side. One Level 3 mark for each explanation.
26. [4] Saving the banks was an important achievement because many banks had closed and people had withdrawn their money. If this continued, more banks would collapse and business would not be able to operate. Some of the banks had lent money recklessly and they were closed under the terms of the Emergency Banking Act. This helped to restore faith in the remaining banks. People began to put their money back in the banks which meant that they could invest in industry to help with recovery.
27. [4] Providing relief for the unemployed was important. Many had lost their jobs and homes as a result of the depression and faced poverty and hunger. The Federal Emergency Relief Administration opened soup kitchens and provided clothing and beds to those most in need.
28. [2-3] Level 2: Identifies or describes valid points; addresses the question but does not explain. One Level 2 mark for each identification/description.
29. [1] The Emergency Banking Act stabilised the banking system and this helped business and industry.
30. [1] FERA provided food and clothing to those facing poverty and hunger.
31. [1] Unemployment was tackled by a range of 'alphabet agencies'.
32. [1] The CCC helped young men between the ages of 18 and 25 and found them temporary employment.
33. [1] The Public Works Administration started infrastructure projects which provided jobs.
34. [1] Farmers were helped by the Agricultural Adjustment Act.
35. [1] Pensions were introduced for the elderly.
36. [1] Level 1: Writes about the topic but does not address the question.
37. [1] Roosevelt's aims for the New Deal were relief, recovery and reform.
38. [0] Level 0: No creditable response. 0 marks