Topic 12: The Great Depression and the Americas (1920’s to 1940’s
This section focuses on the causes and nature of the Great Depression as well as the different solutions adopted by governments in the region, and the impact on these societies. The Great Depression produced the most serious economic collapse in the history of the Americas. It affected every country in the region and brought about the need to rethink economic and political systems. The alternatives that were offered, and the adaptations that took place, marked a watershed in political and economic development in many countries in the region. With respect to the last three bullets, a case-study approach should be adopted, using one country from the region as an example. The chosen country should be identified in the introduction to the examination answers.
The Great Depression: political and economic causes in the Americas
Nature and efficacy of solutions in the United States: Hoover; Franklin D Roosevelt and the New Deal
Critics of the New Deal; impact of the New Deal on US political and economic systems
Nature and efficacy of solutions in Canada: Mackenzie King and RB Bennett
Impact of the Great Depression on Latin America; political instability and challenges to democracy; economic and social challenges
Latin American responses to the Great Depression: import substitution industrialization (ISI); social and economic policies; popular mobilization and repression
Impact of the Great Depression on society: specifically the impact on women and minorities; impact of the Great Depression on the arts and culture
Unit Key Questions:
How did the consumer culture in the USA contribute to the onset of the Great Depression?
To what extent was the Wall Street Crash a cause of depression in Latin America?
How did the prosperity of the 1920s help cause the problems of the Great Depression in Canada?
Key Concepts:
Causes
Consequences
Unit Segments:
THE GREAT DEPRESSION IN THE UNITED STATES
Causes of the Great Depression in the US
Hoover, Franklin D Roosevelt and the New Deal
Political, economic and social impact of the Depression
THE GREAT DEPRESSION IN CANADA
THE GREAT DEPRESSION IN LATIN AMERICA: CASE STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION IN BRAZIL
After each unit segment, you can expect a formative assessment specific to each region of study. Concluding the unit's last segment, you can expect a 'Paper 3' style summative assessment; in-depth comparative analysis will be essential.