Although the New Deal attempted to address many problems, it faced criticism.

Mark scheme

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

1. [4] Alphabet agencies were established to provide work.
2. [4] The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) provided voluntary employment for young men aged 18 to 25.
3. [4] The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided jobs in construction on projects such as building schools and hospitals.
4. [4] The Civil Works Administration provided temporary work in the winter of 1933 to 1934.
5. [4] The CWA created four million jobs.
6. [4] The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was formed in 1935.
7. [6] Republicans believed in keeping government intervention in the economy to a minimum. They felt that businessmen knew best how to help the economy recover. However, the establishment of the New Deal was expensive and involved government intervention at an unprecedented level. The Republicans resented the president taking so much control over what they saw as private business affairs.
8. [2-3] Republicans believed in keeping taxes low.
9. [2-3] They thought the New Deal challenged American values.
10. [2-3] Republicans didn't like government intervention in the economy.
11. [2-3] FDR's support for the unions was disliked.
12. [2-3] The New Deal was seen as a challenge to free enterprise.
13. [2-3] The New Deal challenged ideas about rugged individualism.
14. [1] The New Deal helped many Americans who were facing difficulties.
15. [10] The New Deal did not solve the problems facing the farmers. In fact, for the poorer farmers things even got worse and key elements of New Deal legislation did not help them.
16. [4-6] Things got better for farmers under the New Deal. The AAA cut production in seven crops including wheat and cotton and also in pig farming. This meant that prices increased by 58% between 1932 and 1935. There were also acts to bring electricity to rural areas and financial support for farmers was introduced by the Farm Security Administration in 1937.
17. [4-6] Things did not get better for all farmers. The AAA had some drawbacks and family-run businesses were replaced by huge agri-businesses. Also, sharecroppers were badly affected. In the South, many farmers reduced their crops in line with AAA requirements but this meant that the sharecroppers and tenant farmers were no longer needed. Many lost their jobs and their homes.
18. [2-3] The New deal introduced agencies such as the Agricultural Adjustment Act.
19. [2-3] One problem facing the farmers was over-production and the New Deal tried to address this.
20. [2-3] Some of the measures introduced to help farmers were controversial.
21. [2-3] Sharecroppers were laid off in the South.
22. [2-3] Family-run businesses did not always survive.
23. [2-3] The Rural Electrification Administration helped farmers.
24. [1] Farmers in America faced difficulties after the end of the First World War.