The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to American society in the years 1953 to 1975.

To what extent was the failure to establish full civil rights for African-Americans in the years 1865 to 1890 due to the weaknesses of the Federal Government?

‘In the years 1890 to 1917, the United States turned away from isolationism.’

Assess the validity of this view.

‘The Democrats’ dominance of the US presidency, in the years 1932 to 1952, was due to Franklin Roosevelt and his legacy.’

Assess the validity of this view.

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to US expansion in the years 1890 to 1920.

‘Politicians failed to curb the power of Big Business in the years 1890 to 1914.’

Assess the validity of this view.

How significant was the role of US Presidents in the development of the American economy in the years 1920 to 1945?

‘The African-American Civil Rights Movement was the most successful of the protest movements of the years 1954 to 1975.’

Assess the validity of this view.

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to American policies in Vietnam.

‘The growth of the US economy, from 1865 to 1890, was due to the opening of the West.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent did social and ethnic divisions increase in the USA in the years 1890 to 1920?

‘In the years 1921 to 1941, all presidents were committed to an increased role for the federal government in domestic politics.’

Assess the validity of this view.

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to American society in the 1920s and 1930s.

‘The years 1865 to 1896 were a time of significant progress for former slaves in America’s southern states.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent was Wilson’s New Freedom a continuation of Theodore Roosevelt’s reforms?

‘In the years 1945 to 1968, the growth of the US economy was entirely due to an increase in consumer demand.’

Assess the validity of this view.

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to changes in American society in the years 1945 to 1975.

To what extent was there effective cooperation between President and Congress in the years 1865 to 1890?

‘Populism had significant influence on national politics in the years 1890 to 1912.’

Assess the validity of this view of Populism.

In the years 1920 to 1945, to what extent was FD Roosevelt’s approach to international relations different from that of his Republican predecessors?

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to influences shaping US international relations in the years 1865 to 1890.

To what extent did the growth of the US economy, in the years 1890 to 1920, benefit the American people?

‘There was very little improvement in the lives of African-Americans in the years 1920 to 1941.’

Assess the validity of this view.

‘Throughout the years 1945 to 1968, all US Presidents were committed to reform in domestic politics.’

Assess the validity of this view.

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to the US governments’ economic policies from 1929 to the end of the 1940s.

‘Laissez-faire policies, in the years 1865 to 1890, were economically damaging.’

Assess the validity of this view.

‘The Immigration Acts of the early 1920s were the result of social tensions arising from immigration since the 1890s.’

Assess the validity of this view.

How successful were attempts by US governments, in the years 1955 to 1975, to reduce Cold War tensions?

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to the presidents of the Gilded Age.

To what extent was American imperialism motivated by issues of national security in the years 1890 to 1920?

‘Women made little progress towards achieving equality from 1920 to 1945.’

Assess the validity of this view.

‘The years 1945 to 1964 were a time of strong economic growth and prosperity for all Americans.’

Assess the validity of this view.

Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to the American economy in the second half of the nineteenth century.

To what extent had any progress made by African-Americans during Radical Reconstruction been lost by 1890?

‘US foreign policy in the years 1919 to 1941 was based on isolationism.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent can the US policy of containment in Asia in the years 1945 to 1975 be described as a success?