first history usa essay question (20 marker)
hiya, i'm a few weeks into my a levels (Y12), and i've been set my second a level history essay --- the first one wasn't that great, i got 12/20 (it was on the rise of the national party in 1948 south africa), my other history teacher has set me one and i was wondering if anyone could mark it or give it any feedback? here is the intro and 2 x agree paragraphs, obviously after i would do the 2 x disagree paragraphs and conclusion. i don't really understand the feedback my teacher gave me for my last essay as it wasn't very clear
i'm doing edexcel btw!
How far do you agree that the key factor in sustaining a Republican majority from 1920-1930 was the Economy? (20 marks)
Throughout the “roaring twenties”, the period of American prosperity throughout the 1920s, the Republican Party consistently secured electoral victories and saw widespread public support. This affluence was due primarily to the economy, as American people saw the economic boom as a sign of the success of Republicanism due to the policies the party introduced. However, other factors also contributed to the Republicans maintaining their success in votes, which includes the failures of Woodrow Wilson and the Democratic Party, and the rising fear of Communism in the US, demonstrated through the Red Scare, which further secured support towards Republican ideals. Nonetheless, the most important factor was clearly the economy: without the significant economic growth in the 1920s, the Republican Party would likely not have maintained such dominant political control. The economy was the most important factor in explaining the sustained Republican majority from 1920 to 1930 because the period of prosperity directly resulted from economic policies introduced by the Republican presidents in power during the decade: Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover. One key policy of the Republican approach was a laissez-faire attitude towards business, meaning the government would not interfere in the economy, and allow the free market to operate with few regulations. President Warren G. Harding famously addressed this idea in his 1921 quote: “less government in business and more business in government.” It was believed that a hands-off approach to industry gave businessmen the freedom to make a profit, by allowing individuals to reach their full potential with a lack of government intervention. This therefore increased public support towards the Republican Party, as the unchecked industry created a sense of prosperity, due the rapid growth and sense of optimism which created the illusion that everyone was benefiting equally. Therefore, as public support for freedom in business peaked, the Republican Party, which promised to continue this, was able to secure a majority in several Presidential elections. Another major policy was the introduction of high tariffs on imported goods to protect domestic industry, such as the Fordney Mc-Cumber Tariff in 1922, and the Snoot-Hawley Tariff in 1930. These tariffs made foreign goods more expensive and encouraged Americans to buy domestically produced items. As a result, American industries flourished, especially car manufacturing; by the end of the 1920s, the US was producing 85% of the world’s cars, which created jobs and prosperity for millions of people in America. Therefore, it is evident that the Republican Party had successfully implemented legislation which supported their prosperous vision for the country, providing Americans with jobs and national pride in their country’s economic prosperity. This demonstrates how important the economy was to explain the Republican majority — American people felt that the Party had significantly benefitted their lives, and therefore voting support remained high for them.
Furthermore, another factor which demonstrates that the economy was the most important factor was that in this period of prosperity, the era of mass consumerism began, which demonstrated that financial security was at an all time high. Because of this, support for the Republican Party, which was heavily capitalist, remained high. For the first time, automobiles, telephones, radios, and electrical appliances such as washing machines and vacuum cleaners became available to the public, as both efficiency in manufacturing goods and willingness to spend money greatly increased. Due to the increased focus on American manufacturing industries encouraged by the government, the 1920s saw cars, once a luxury item owned only by the wealthy, becoming within reach for many individuals. As manufacturers began to mass produce automobiles, techniques improved — for example, Henry Ford is celebrated for perfecting the assembly line. This allowed him to introduce his Model T Ford at a significantly lower price from what it previously was: $300 in 1924 compared to $850 in 1908. This was major as by 1930, 60% of US families owned a car, which is just one example of the many new consumer goods accessible to the public. This benefitted the Republicans as once again, voters associated their improving standard of living with the party's platform. In addition, new economic processes also created popularity towards the Republican Party, such as buying through credit in installment plans. This meant that to keep up with the rapidly increasing demand for purchasing the newest items, Americans could purchase goods with a small down payment, paying the rest later in monthly installments. Therefore, the idea of ‘buy now, pay later’, was born, which encouraged the consumerist lifestyle to continue by creating the illusion of affluence — even if people did not have large amounts of money, they could feel like they did and keep up with consumer trends. For example, by 1929 almost 75% of cars were purchased through credit, and the number of goods being purchased was higher than ever. This demonstrates that the increased use of installment buying stimulated economic growth, which benefited the American people, and in turn the Republican Party, as the promise of a strong, business-friendly economy under Republican leadership had seemingly come true.
i'm doing edexcel btw!
How far do you agree that the key factor in sustaining a Republican majority from 1920-1930 was the Economy? (20 marks)
Throughout the “roaring twenties”, the period of American prosperity throughout the 1920s, the Republican Party consistently secured electoral victories and saw widespread public support. This affluence was due primarily to the economy, as American people saw the economic boom as a sign of the success of Republicanism due to the policies the party introduced. However, other factors also contributed to the Republicans maintaining their success in votes, which includes the failures of Woodrow Wilson and the Democratic Party, and the rising fear of Communism in the US, demonstrated through the Red Scare, which further secured support towards Republican ideals. Nonetheless, the most important factor was clearly the economy: without the significant economic growth in the 1920s, the Republican Party would likely not have maintained such dominant political control. The economy was the most important factor in explaining the sustained Republican majority from 1920 to 1930 because the period of prosperity directly resulted from economic policies introduced by the Republican presidents in power during the decade: Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover. One key policy of the Republican approach was a laissez-faire attitude towards business, meaning the government would not interfere in the economy, and allow the free market to operate with few regulations. President Warren G. Harding famously addressed this idea in his 1921 quote: “less government in business and more business in government.” It was believed that a hands-off approach to industry gave businessmen the freedom to make a profit, by allowing individuals to reach their full potential with a lack of government intervention. This therefore increased public support towards the Republican Party, as the unchecked industry created a sense of prosperity, due the rapid growth and sense of optimism which created the illusion that everyone was benefiting equally. Therefore, as public support for freedom in business peaked, the Republican Party, which promised to continue this, was able to secure a majority in several Presidential elections. Another major policy was the introduction of high tariffs on imported goods to protect domestic industry, such as the Fordney Mc-Cumber Tariff in 1922, and the Snoot-Hawley Tariff in 1930. These tariffs made foreign goods more expensive and encouraged Americans to buy domestically produced items. As a result, American industries flourished, especially car manufacturing; by the end of the 1920s, the US was producing 85% of the world’s cars, which created jobs and prosperity for millions of people in America. Therefore, it is evident that the Republican Party had successfully implemented legislation which supported their prosperous vision for the country, providing Americans with jobs and national pride in their country’s economic prosperity. This demonstrates how important the economy was to explain the Republican majority — American people felt that the Party had significantly benefitted their lives, and therefore voting support remained high for them.
Furthermore, another factor which demonstrates that the economy was the most important factor was that in this period of prosperity, the era of mass consumerism began, which demonstrated that financial security was at an all time high. Because of this, support for the Republican Party, which was heavily capitalist, remained high. For the first time, automobiles, telephones, radios, and electrical appliances such as washing machines and vacuum cleaners became available to the public, as both efficiency in manufacturing goods and willingness to spend money greatly increased. Due to the increased focus on American manufacturing industries encouraged by the government, the 1920s saw cars, once a luxury item owned only by the wealthy, becoming within reach for many individuals. As manufacturers began to mass produce automobiles, techniques improved — for example, Henry Ford is celebrated for perfecting the assembly line. This allowed him to introduce his Model T Ford at a significantly lower price from what it previously was: $300 in 1924 compared to $850 in 1908. This was major as by 1930, 60% of US families owned a car, which is just one example of the many new consumer goods accessible to the public. This benefitted the Republicans as once again, voters associated their improving standard of living with the party's platform. In addition, new economic processes also created popularity towards the Republican Party, such as buying through credit in installment plans. This meant that to keep up with the rapidly increasing demand for purchasing the newest items, Americans could purchase goods with a small down payment, paying the rest later in monthly installments. Therefore, the idea of ‘buy now, pay later’, was born, which encouraged the consumerist lifestyle to continue by creating the illusion of affluence — even if people did not have large amounts of money, they could feel like they did and keep up with consumer trends. For example, by 1929 almost 75% of cars were purchased through credit, and the number of goods being purchased was higher than ever. This demonstrates that the increased use of installment buying stimulated economic growth, which benefited the American people, and in turn the Republican Party, as the promise of a strong, business-friendly economy under Republican leadership had seemingly come true.
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skeeto
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okay update i got 16/20!!
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