IGCSE History 0470 · Topic 8

Depth study D: The United States, 1919–41: past paper questions

187 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: Explain, Describe, Discuss, Write, Write an account of

Real questions on depth study d: the united states, 1919–41

The newest 20 of 187 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q15a[4]
Describe what happened to the coal industry in the 1920s.
See it on the paper →
0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q15b[6]
Why was the use of credit important for the boom of the 1920s?
See it on the paper →
0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q15c[10]
‘The main reason why American farming struggled in the 1920s was competition from other countries.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
See it on the paper →
0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q16a[4]
What was the National Recovery Administration?
See it on the paper →
0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q16b[6]
Why did the business community oppose the New Deal?
See it on the paper →
0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q16c[10]
How far was the New Deal a success in dealing with unemployment? Explain your answer. Depth study E: The Second World War in Europe and the Asia–Pacific, 1939–c.1945
See it on the paper →
0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q15a[4]
Describe changes to the lives of some American women in the 1920s.
See it on the paper →
0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q15b[6]
Why did people join the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in the 1920s?
See it on the paper →
0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q15c[10]
How far was Prohibition a failure? Explain your answer.
See it on the paper →
0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q16a[4]
Describe the weaknesses of the US economy by 1929.
See it on the paper →
0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q16b[6]
Why was the banking crisis so important?
See it on the paper →
0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q16c[10]
‘Roosevelt won the 1932 election because of the nature of his campaign.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. Depth study E: The Second World War in Europe and the Asia–Pacific, 1939–c.1945
See it on the paper →
0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q15a[4]
What was the Wall Street Crash of 1929?
See it on the paper →
0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q15b[6]
Why did the Wall Street Crash have serious economic consequences?
See it on the paper →
0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q15c[10]
‘Hoover did almost nothing to help the American people during the Depression.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
See it on the paper →
0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q16a[4]
What was the Agricultural Adjustment Administration?
See it on the paper →
0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q16b[6]
Why did Roosevelt think that a second New Deal was needed?
See it on the paper →
0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q16c[10]
‘The opposition to the New Deal came from those who thought the government should not be interfering with business.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. Depth study E: The Second World War in Europe and the Asia–Pacific, 1939–c.1945
See it on the paper →
0470/12 · February/March 2026 · Q15b[6]
Why did traditional industries struggle in the 1920s?
See it on the paper →
0470/12 · February/March 2026 · Q15c[10]
‘The use of mass production by US industry was responsible for the boom of the 1920s.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
See it on the paper →

What examiners said

Comprehensive responses • Some candidates were able to identify a traditional industry, which was struggling, usually the coal industry and use the effect of the development and widespread use of oil and electricity to explain. • A few candidates could identify and explain a second struggling industry. Limited responses • Some candidates put all the struggling industries together and wrote genera...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0470/12 Q15(b) (Cambridge)

Comprehensive responses • Many candidates were familiar with the issues that were relevant to this question. • Many candidates identified the importance of mass production and most included the use and impact of Henry Ford’s assembly line to explain. • Many candidates produced a balanced argument using evidence of the contributions made by other factors such as advertising, availability of cheap c...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0470/12 Q15(c) (Cambridge)

This question was well answered by most. Strong responses demonstrated a very good understanding of Al Capone and his activities. Four relevant points were required, for example: ‘he was a gangster’, ‘he was from Chicago’, ‘he was active at the time of Prohibition’ and ‘he ran a bootlegging business’. Other valid points could cover a wide range of activities, for example, Capone’s involvement in t...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 0470/12 Q15(a) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise depth study d: the united states, 1919–41

In the syllabus

1 0470.8.1.01 — On what factors was the economic boom based?.

On what factors was the economic boom based?.
Why did some industries prosper while others did not?.
Why did agriculture not share in the prosperity?.
Did all Americans benefit from the boom?.

2 0470.8.1.02 — Why did some industries prosper while others did not?.

Why did some industries prosper while others did not?.

3 0470.8.1.03 — Why did agriculture not share in the prosperity?.

Why did agriculture not share in the prosperity?.

4 0470.8.1.04 — Did all Americans benefit from the boom?.

Did all Americans benefit from the boom?.

5 0470.8.2.01 — What were the ‘Roaring Twenties’?.

What were the ‘Roaring Twenties’?.
How widespread was intolerance in US society?.
Why was Prohibition introduced, and then later repealed?.
How far did the roles of women change during the 1920s?.

6 0470.8.2.02 — How widespread was intolerance in US society?.

How widespread was intolerance in US society?.

7 0470.8.2.03 — Why was Prohibition introduced, and then later repealed?.

Why was Prohibition introduced, and then later repealed?.

8 0470.8.2.04 — How far did the roles of women change during the 1920s?.

How far did the roles of women change during the 1920s?.

9 0470.8.3.01 — How far was speculation responsible for the Wall Street Crash?.

How far was speculation responsible for the Wall Street Crash?.
What impact did the Crash have on the economy?.
What were the social consequences of the Crash?.
Why did Roosevelt win the election of 1932?.

10 0470.8.3.02 — What impact did the Crash have on the economy?.

What impact did the Crash have on the economy?.

11 0470.8.3.03 — What were the social consequences of the Crash?.

What were the social consequences of the Crash?.

12 0470.8.3.04 — Why did Roosevelt win the election of 1932?.

Why did Roosevelt win the election of 1932?.

13 0470.8.4.01 — What was the New Deal as introduced in 1933?.

What was the New Deal as introduced in 1933?.
How far did the character of the New Deal change after 1933?.
Why did the New Deal encounter opposition?.
Why did unemployment persist despite the New Deal?.
Did the fact that the New Deal did not solve unemployment mean that it was a failure?.
The expansion of the US economy during the 1920s:; government policies; mass production in industries for cars and other consumer goods; the fortunes of older industries; the development of credit and hire purchase; the decline of agriculture.
Weaknesses in the economy by the late 1920s.
Society in the 1920s:; the ‘Roaring Twenties’; film and other media; Prohibition and gangsterism; restrictions on immigration, the ‘Red Scare’, religious intolerance; discrimination against Black Americans; the Ku Klux Klan; the changing roles of women.
The Wall Street Crash and its financial, economic and social effects.
The reaction of President Hoover to the Crash.
The presidential election of 1932; Hoover’s and Roosevelt’s programmes.
Roosevelt’s inauguration and the ‘Hundred Days’.

14 0470.8.4.02 — How far did the character of the New Deal change after 1933?.

How far did the character of the New Deal change after 1933?.

15 0470.8.4.03 — Why did the New Deal encounter opposition?.

Why did the New Deal encounter opposition?.

16 0470.8.4.04 — Why did unemployment persist despite the New Deal?.

Why did unemployment persist despite the New Deal?.

17 0470.8.4.05 — Did the fact that the New Deal did not solve unemployment mean that it was a failure?.

Did the fact that the New Deal did not solve unemployment mean that it was a failure?.

18 0470.8.4.06 — The expansion of the US economy during the 1920s:; government policies; mass production in industries for cars and other consumer goods; the

The expansion of the US economy during the 1920s:; government policies; mass production in industries for cars and other consumer goods; the fortunes of older industries; the development of credit and hire purchase; the decline of agriculture.

19 0470.8.4.07 — Weaknesses in the economy by the late 1920s.

Weaknesses in the economy by the late 1920s.

20 0470.8.4.08 — Society in the 1920s:; the ‘Roaring Twenties’; film and other media; Prohibition and gangsterism; restrictions on immigration, the ‘Red Scar

Society in the 1920s:; the ‘Roaring Twenties’; film and other media; Prohibition and gangsterism; restrictions on immigration, the ‘Red Scare’, religious intolerance; discrimination against Black Americans; the Ku Klux Klan; the changing roles of women.

21 0470.8.4.09 — The Wall Street Crash and its financial, economic and social effects.

The Wall Street Crash and its financial, economic and social effects.

22 0470.8.4.10 — The reaction of President Hoover to the Crash.

The reaction of President Hoover to the Crash.

23 0470.8.4.11 — The presidential election of 1932; Hoover’s and Roosevelt’s programmes.

The presidential election of 1932; Hoover’s and Roosevelt’s programmes.

24 0470.8.4.12 — Roosevelt’s inauguration and the ‘Hundred Days’.

Roosevelt’s inauguration and the ‘Hundred Days’.

25 0470.8.4.13 — The New Deal legislation, the ‘alphabet agencies’ and their work, and the economic and social changes they caused.

The New Deal legislation, the ‘alphabet agencies’ and their work, and the economic and social changes they caused.

26 0470.8.4.14 — Opposition to the New Deal:; the Republicans; the rich; business interests; the Supreme Court; radical critics like Huey Long.

Opposition to the New Deal:; the Republicans; the rich; business interests; the Supreme Court; radical critics like Huey Long.

27 0470.8.4.15 — The strengths and weaknesses of the New Deal programme in dealing with unemployment and the Depression.

The strengths and weaknesses of the New Deal programme in dealing with unemployment and the Depression.

Past papers, syllabus and examiner reports © UCLES (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Questions are matched to topics from the official syllabus. AssessPro is independent and not endorsed by Cambridge.