Consolidating the Nation, 1890–2000 — IGCSE History - American (0409) questions by topic

Consolidating the Nation covers content from buying on margin in the 1920s to constitutional amendments under Progressive presidents and the 1972-73 oil crisis, with 13-mark essays sitting alongside shorter recall answers worth up to 20 marks.

Describe, explain and to what extent test factual command of a long period, 1890 to 2000, rather than source interpretation. With 13 questions from 2023 to 2025 papers, this page rewards drafting full explanatory answers and submitting them for instant marking, so you can see how the mark scheme distinguishes detailed, dated explanation from a general narrative account of the same events.

May–June 2025, Paper 01

Question 7 · 20 marks

The United States faced many problems in the period from 1890 to 1920. Describe the ideas and activities of the Industrial Workers of the World ("the Wobblies") in the early…

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Question 8 · 20 marks

The "boom" of the 1920s did not benefit everyone in the United States. Describe the problems that faced traditional industries in the 1920s.

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Question 9 · 20 marks

Hoover and Roosevelt reacted to the Great Depression in different ways. What was "buying on margin" in the 1920s?

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Question 10 · 20 marks

The efforts of individuals were important in improving the lives of African Americans. What were the Jim Crow laws?

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Question 11 · 20 marks

The relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union changed several times in the period from 1945 to 1985. What was agreed at the Potsdam Conference in July–August…

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Question 12 · 20 marks

From the 1950s to the 1970s the United States faced several serious challenges. What was the oil crisis of 1972–73?

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May–June 2024, Paper 01

Question 7 · 20 marks

Describe the amendments made to the Constitution by Progressive presidents.

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Question 8 · 20 marks

Describe the impact of consumerism on the economy of the 1920s.

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Question 9 · 20 marks

Describe how President Roosevelt saved the banking system in 1933.

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Question 10 · 20 marks

Describe the Great Migration.

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Question 11 · 20 marks

Describe the Marshall Plan.

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Question 12 · 20 marks

What was McCarthyism?

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May–June 2023, Paper 01

Question 7 · 20 marks

Describe what happened at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in 1911.

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Other IGCSE History - American topics

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