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48
•
4 Jan 2026
•
A Level History: American Dream and Political Changes 1917-45
D
Duraa F
@uraa_naxb
Post-WWI Politics and the Rise of Republicanism
Ever wondered why Americans wanted to retreat from the world after winning a major war? After WWI, Americans were absolutely knackered from global involvement and craved "return to normalcy" under President Harding in 1921.
The early 1920s weren't exactly smooth sailing though. A nasty economic depression hit, with unemployment skyrocketing and strikes breaking out everywhere. Republicans responded with laissez-faire economics - basically letting businesses do their thing whilst reducing taxes and raising tariffs to protect American industry.
Meanwhile, the Red Scare (1917-1919) had Americans properly spooked about communism spreading from Russia. When over 4 million workers went on strike in 1919, many feared a communist revolution was brewing. This paranoia helped Republicans gain support by promoting traditional American values and opposing anything that smacked of socialism.
Key Point: Republican policies of isolationism and business-friendly economics dominated the 1920s, but this approach would spectacularly backfire when the Great Depression hit.
The Great Depression and Republican Decline
President Hoover's rugged individualism philosophy sounds brilliant in theory - people should be self-reliant rather than dependent on government handouts. Problem was, this approach completely fell apart when the economy collapsed in 1929.
Hoover stubbornly stuck to laissez-faire policies even as banks failed, businesses closed, and unemployment soared. When he finally tried federal intervention in 1930-32, it was too little, too late. Homeless Americans sarcastically named their shanty towns "Hoovervilles" after the president they blamed for their misery.
The final nail in the Republican coffin came with the Bonus Army incident in 1932. When WWI veterans marched on Washington demanding early payment of their war bonuses, Hoover sent in tanks and machine guns to break them up. This brutal response destroyed what little support he had left.
Roosevelt's New Deal Revolution
FDR completely flipped American politics on its head when he became president in 1933. His New Deal wasn't just about fixing the economy - it fundamentally changed what Americans expected from their government.
Roosevelt's approach was dead simple: the federal government was responsible for people's welfare, full stop. He created alphabet soup agencies like the National Recovery Administration (NRA) and Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) to regulate businesses and farming. These agencies coordinated activities across multiple states, something that required massive federal power.
The man himself was a political genius - charming, confident, and brilliant at communication. His fireside chats on radio made Americans feel like he was personally speaking to them about his policies. Congress was so impressed by his early banking reforms that they basically gave him carte blanche to pass whatever he wanted during his first 100 days.
Key Point: The New Deal didn't just address economic problems - it permanently expanded federal power and made Americans expect their government to actively solve their problems.
World War II and Presidential Transformation
WWII properly catapulted America onto the world stage and made the presidency incredibly powerful. Roosevelt had to navigate tricky waters between supporting Britain whilst keeping America officially neutral - at least until Pearl Harbor forced America into the war in December 1941.
FDR's war policies were clever but controversial. The Lend-Lease scheme let him supply Britain with $61 billion worth of war materials "to be returned after the war" (spoiler: they weren't). The destroyers-for-bases deal gave Britain 60 naval destroyers in exchange for military bases.
War production absolutely transformed the American economy. Unemployment vanished as 16 million men joined the armed forces and women flooded into factories. Corporate profits exploded from 28 billion in 1948, finally ending the Great Depression.
Roosevelt completely revolutionised the presidency itself. He created proper White House staff (Hoover only had 3 assistants!), established the Executive Office of the President, and became the first president to receive thousands of letters from ordinary citizens. However, his attempts to pack the Supreme Court in 1937 showed there were still limits to presidential power - separation of powers wasn't completely dead yet.
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
A Level History: American Dream and Political Changes 1917-45
D
Duraa F
@uraa_naxb
The period from 1919-1945 saw massive changes in American politics, from post-WWI isolationism through the Great Depression to becoming a global superpower. This era transformed the presidency forever, particularly through FDR's revolutionary New Deal policies.
Post-WWI Politics and the Rise of Republicanism
Ever wondered why Americans wanted to retreat from the world after winning a major war? After WWI, Americans were absolutely knackered from global involvement and craved "return to normalcy" under President Harding in 1921.
The early 1920s weren't exactly smooth sailing though. A nasty economic depression hit, with unemployment skyrocketing and strikes breaking out everywhere. Republicans responded with laissez-faire economics - basically letting businesses do their thing whilst reducing taxes and raising tariffs to protect American industry.
Meanwhile, the Red Scare (1917-1919) had Americans properly spooked about communism spreading from Russia. When over 4 million workers went on strike in 1919, many feared a communist revolution was brewing. This paranoia helped Republicans gain support by promoting traditional American values and opposing anything that smacked of socialism.
Key Point: Republican policies of isolationism and business-friendly economics dominated the 1920s, but this approach would spectacularly backfire when the Great Depression hit.
The Great Depression and Republican Decline
President Hoover's rugged individualism philosophy sounds brilliant in theory - people should be self-reliant rather than dependent on government handouts. Problem was, this approach completely fell apart when the economy collapsed in 1929.
Hoover stubbornly stuck to laissez-faire policies even as banks failed, businesses closed, and unemployment soared. When he finally tried federal intervention in 1930-32, it was too little, too late. Homeless Americans sarcastically named their shanty towns "Hoovervilles" after the president they blamed for their misery.
The final nail in the Republican coffin came with the Bonus Army incident in 1932. When WWI veterans marched on Washington demanding early payment of their war bonuses, Hoover sent in tanks and machine guns to break them up. This brutal response destroyed what little support he had left.
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Roosevelt's New Deal Revolution
FDR completely flipped American politics on its head when he became president in 1933. His New Deal wasn't just about fixing the economy - it fundamentally changed what Americans expected from their government.
Roosevelt's approach was dead simple: the federal government was responsible for people's welfare, full stop. He created alphabet soup agencies like the National Recovery Administration (NRA) and Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) to regulate businesses and farming. These agencies coordinated activities across multiple states, something that required massive federal power.
The man himself was a political genius - charming, confident, and brilliant at communication. His fireside chats on radio made Americans feel like he was personally speaking to them about his policies. Congress was so impressed by his early banking reforms that they basically gave him carte blanche to pass whatever he wanted during his first 100 days.
Key Point: The New Deal didn't just address economic problems - it permanently expanded federal power and made Americans expect their government to actively solve their problems.
World War II and Presidential Transformation
WWII properly catapulted America onto the world stage and made the presidency incredibly powerful. Roosevelt had to navigate tricky waters between supporting Britain whilst keeping America officially neutral - at least until Pearl Harbor forced America into the war in December 1941.
FDR's war policies were clever but controversial. The Lend-Lease scheme let him supply Britain with $61 billion worth of war materials "to be returned after the war" (spoiler: they weren't). The destroyers-for-bases deal gave Britain 60 naval destroyers in exchange for military bases.
War production absolutely transformed the American economy. Unemployment vanished as 16 million men joined the armed forces and women flooded into factories. Corporate profits exploded from 28 billion in 1948, finally ending the Great Depression.
Roosevelt completely revolutionised the presidency itself. He created proper White House staff (Hoover only had 3 assistants!), established the Executive Office of the President, and became the first president to receive thousands of letters from ordinary citizens. However, his attempts to pack the Supreme Court in 1937 showed there were still limits to presidential power - separation of powers wasn't completely dead yet.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user