Crisis of identity, 1920–1945 (A-level only) common mistakes

Common mistakes

• Confusing the New Deal with Harding's policies

  Students often mix up the New Deal, which was implemented by Franklin D. Roosevelt, with Harding's 'Return to Normalcy'.

  Fix itRemember that Harding's policies focused on conservative governance and economic stability post-WWI, while the New Deal aimed to address the Great Depression.

• Overgeneralizing the New Deal's impact

  Students often claim the New Deal completely ended the Great Depression without acknowledging the ongoing economic struggles.

  Fix itIt's important to specify that while the New Deal provided significant relief and recovery, the full economic recovery was not achieved until World War II.

• Overgeneralizing the New Deal's impact

  Students often claim the New Deal solved all economic problems without acknowledging its limitations.

  Fix itAcknowledge both the successes and failures of the New Deal in addressing the economic crisis.

• Overgeneralizing the impact of the Great Depression

  Students often state that the Great Depression affected everyone equally.

  Fix itIt's important to specify that the impact varied significantly across different demographics, such as race, gender, and region.

• Overgeneralizing social divisions

  Students often make broad statements about social divisions without providing specific examples or context.

  Fix itAlways support claims with specific examples, such as the experiences of different ethnic groups or the impact of economic changes on urban versus rural populations.

• Confusing isolationism with neutrality

  Students often conflate isolationism with neutrality, failing to recognize that isolationism involves a broader withdrawal from international engagement.

  Fix itClarify that isolationism is a comprehensive policy of avoiding foreign alliances and conflicts, while neutrality can refer to a stance during a specific conflict without full withdrawal from international affairs.