Minorities and the New Deal Exam focus: Edexcel Elizabeth Francis Philip Allan Publishers © 2016

Planning your essay Philip Allan Publishers © 2016 This resource provides an essay plan for a sample Edexcel-style question for 2H.1: The USA, c.1920 – 55: boom, bust and recovery. The first step is to look at the question carefully. To what extent did the New Deal improve the lives of African Americans in the years 1933 – 41?

Introduction and conclusion Philip Allan Publishers © 2016 Conclusion: Summarise the factors discussed Make your judgement clear and make clear reference to the question In an essay question of this sort it is important to give a balanced argument with both sides of the argument shown You will need to explore the factor in the question as well as others factors You must reach a judgement ‘To what extent did the New Deal improve the lives of African Americans in the years 1933–41?’ Introduction: Demonstrate your contextual knowledge of the period Show that you know there are two sides to this debate State what your judgement is — to what extent did their lives improve?

Arguments which agree Philip Allan Publishers © 2016 Start by giving arguments which agree with the factor stated in the question Arguments which suggest that the lives of African Americans did improve in the years 1933–45 Some African Americans benefited from new housing provision and job-creation schemes Some African American sharecroppers were able to own their own land as a result of the AAA The New Deal boosted the trade union movement and many African Americans joined unions 200,000 African Americans gained benefits from the CCC Many African Americans benefited from new housing projects

Arguments which disagree Philip Allan Publishers © 2016 Arguments which suggest that the New Deal did not improve the lives of African Americans The Depression made the lives of African Americans worse as may jobs previously done by them were taken by whites 1931 — 33% of blacks in Southern cities were unemployed 1940 census shows that only 1 in 20 black males was employed in a white- collar occupation, compared to 1 in 3 white males Many New Deal agencies discriminated against blacks — they either got no work or received worse treatment or lower wages FDR failed to pass laws against the lynching of African Americans FDR did nothing to stop the biggest problems for African Americans — segregation and disenfranchisement The NRA forced the shutdown of many small black-run businesses The AAA was an economic disaster for over 1 million African American farmers — tenant farmers were evicted TVA constructed a new, showpiece model town called Norris, a ‘vision of villages and clean small factories.’ But it was for white people only The CCC segregated its workers’ camps Then move onto arguments which are against the factor given in the question. Each of these points can be explored in detail