IB History Workbook: The Great Depression and the Americas (Mid 1920s - 1939) PDF

IB History Workbook: The Great Depression and the Americas (Mid 1920s -- 1939) ============================================================================== Introduction ------------ The Great Depression, which began in 1929, was one of the most profound economic crises in world history, and it h...

IB History Workbook: The Great Depression and the Americas (Mid 1920s -- 1939) ============================================================================== Introduction ------------ The Great Depression, which began in 1929, was one of the most profound economic crises in world history, and it had significant political, social, and economic impacts throughout the Americas. This workbook is designed to help you understand the causes and nature of the Depression, its effects on different countries in the Americas, and the various responses from governments to mitigate the crisis. We will focus on the United States, Canada, and Latin American countries to examine the different political, economic, and social adaptations during this period. Throughout the workbook, you will encounter **progress checks** to monitor your knowledge and understanding and **exam practice questions** that will prepare you for the **extended response questions** in IB History Paper 3. ### Workbook Structure 1. **Section 1: The Causes of the Great Depression in the Americas** 2. **Section 2: The Nature and Efficacy of Solutions in the United States** 3. **Section 3: The Nature and Efficacy of Solutions in Canada** 4. **Section 4: Impact of the Great Depression on Latin America** 5. **Section 5: Responses in Latin America -- Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI)** 6. **Section 6: Social Impact of the Great Depression in the Americas** 7. **Final Progress Check and Essay Practice** ### Section 1: The Causes of the Great Depression in the Americas #### **1.1 Political and Economic Causes** The Great Depression was caused by a combination of political and economic factors in the Americas, both domestic and international. In the United States, over-speculation in the stock market, uneven wealth distribution, and international trade imbalances contributed to the collapse. In Latin America, the Depression was exacerbated by the over-reliance on exports and the decline in global demand for raw materials. ##### Progress Check 1: 1. **What were the key political and economic causes of the Great Depression in the United States?** 2. **How did the global economic interconnectedness affect Latin America during the Great Depression?** 3. **Explain the role of the stock market crash of 1929 in the onset of the Great Depression.** ##### Exam Practice Question (Extended Response): \"To what extent were the economic causes of the Great Depression in the Americas a result of global factors, and to what extent were they driven by domestic issues?\" ### Section 2: The Nature and Efficacy of Solutions in the United States #### **2.1 The Hoover Administration (1929-1933)** Herbert Hoover, President of the United States at the start of the Great Depression, initially focused on voluntary cooperation between business and government to resolve the economic crisis. However, his policies were criticized for being ineffective and inadequate in addressing the scale of the Depression. #### **2.2 Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal (1933-1939)** Franklin D. Roosevelt\'s New Deal aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform through a series of government programs and reforms, including the Social Security Act, the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), and the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA). ##### Progress Check 2: 1. **What were the key differences between Hoover\'s and Roosevelt\'s approaches to handling the Depression?** 2. **Explain the main components of Roosevelt's New Deal and assess their success in addressing the economic crisis.** 3. **How did the New Deal impact the political and economic systems of the United States?** ##### Exam Practice Question (Extended Response): \"To what extent was the New Deal successful in addressing the challenges posed by the Great Depression in the United States? Consider its social, political, and economic impact.\" ### Section 3: The Nature and Efficacy of Solutions in Canada #### **3.1 The Mackenzie King Government (1921-1930)** Canada's response to the Depression was initially characterized by austerity measures under the leadership of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, focusing on balancing budgets and reducing government spending. #### **3.2 R.B. Bennett's Response (1930-1935)** After the election of R.B. Bennett, the Canadian government initially focused on public works programs and relief efforts but was criticized for not doing enough to mitigate the crisis. Bennett\'s government ultimately introduced a series of reforms, but many believed they were too little, too late. ##### Progress Check 3: 1. **How did the political leadership of Mackenzie King differ from that of R.B. Bennett in addressing the Depression?** 2. **Evaluate the impact of Bennett's reforms on Canadian society during the Depression.** 3. **To what extent was Canada's response to the Great Depression successful?** ##### Exam Practice Question (Extended Response): \"To what extent did the responses of Mackenzie King and R.B. Bennett to the Great Depression differ, and which was more effective in addressing the challenges faced by Canada?\" ### Section 4: Impact of the Great Depression on Latin America #### **4.1 Political Instability and Challenges to Democracy** The economic collapse brought political instability to many countries in Latin America. With falling exports and rising unemployment, governments faced social unrest, leading to authoritarian governments and military dictatorships in some countries. #### **4.2 Economic and Social Challenges** The decline in demand for Latin American exports and the collapse of international markets led to severe economic contraction. Social challenges included widespread poverty, unemployment, and migration. ##### Progress Check 4: 1. **How did the Great Depression contribute to political instability in Latin America?** 2. **What economic challenges did Latin American countries face during the Depression?** 3. **Explain how the Depression affected social structures in Latin American countries.** ##### Exam Practice Question (Extended Response): \"How did the Great Depression contribute to the political and economic changes in Latin America during the 1930s? Evaluate the impact on democratic institutions and economic structures.\" ### Section 5: Responses in Latin America -- Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI) #### **5.1 What is Import Substitution Industrialization?** Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI) was a policy aimed at reducing dependency on foreign goods by promoting domestic industries. In response to the Depression, many Latin American governments adopted ISI to reduce reliance on exports and foster domestic production. #### **5.2 ISI in Practice** Countries like Mexico and Brazil implemented ISI policies through state intervention in the economy, the nationalization of industries, and the establishment of protective tariffs to encourage local production. ##### Progress Check 5: 1. **What was the rationale behind Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI)?** 2. **Assess the effectiveness of ISI policies in Latin American countries during the Great Depression.** 3. **What were the challenges faced by Latin American countries in implementing ISI?** ##### Exam Practice Question (Extended Response): \"Evaluate the success and failure of Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI) in Latin American countries during the Great Depression. How did ISI shape their economic futures?\" ### Section 6: Social Impact of the Great Depression in the Americas #### **6.1 Impact on Women and Minorities** The Great Depression had a profound effect on women and minorities in the Americas. In many countries, women faced increased pressure to work outside the home, while minorities, especially African Americans and Indigenous peoples, experienced worsening conditions due to economic and social discrimination. #### **6.2 Impact on the Arts and Culture** The Depression also had a significant impact on the arts and culture, with many artists responding to the crisis through works that reflected the social and economic struggles of the era. ##### Progress Check 6: 1. **How did the Great Depression impact women's roles in society in the Americas?** 2. **Explain the social impact of the Great Depression on minority groups in the United States and Latin America.** 3. **What role did art and culture play in responding to the Great Depression in the Americas?** ##### Exam Practice Question (Extended Response): \"How did the Great Depression affect different social groups in the Americas, particularly women and minorities? Discuss both the challenges they faced and the ways they responded.\" ### Final Progress Check and Essay Practice #### **Final Review Questions:** 1. **Compare the responses to the Great Depression in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. How did each region's response reflect its political and economic context?** 2. **Examine the social and cultural impact of the Great Depression in the Americas. How did different groups respond to the challenges they faced?** 3. **Assess the long-term impact of the Great Depression on political and economic systems in the Americas.** #### **Exam Practice Essay:** \"To what extent did the Great Depression result in the rethinking of political and economic systems in the Americas? Evaluate the responses in at least two countries, discussing the social, political, and economic changes that occurred.\" ### Conclusion This workbook has guided you through the key events, responses, and impacts of the Great Depression on the Americas. By completing the progress checks and extended response questions, you will develop a deep understanding of how this economic crisis reshaped societies across the continent. Through this preparation, you will be well-equipped to tackle the extended questions on **IB History Paper 3** and critically analyze the causes, effects, and responses to the Great Depression in the Americas. Bottom of Form