IB History Topic Solutions in the United States Revision Notes (HL)

IB History Topic Solutions in the United States Revision Notes (HL) | RevisionDojo

Background

When the Great Depression struck in 1929, the United States was unprepared for its scale and duration.
President Hoover (1929–1933) clung to traditional laissez-faire principles, believing voluntary cooperation would restore stability. His cautious approach deepened public despair.
In contrast, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal (1933–1938) represented a decisive ideological shift toward government intervention, social reform, and economic regulation.
Though the New Deal did not end the Depression entirely, it fundamentally reshaped American political life.

Herbert Hoover (1929–1933): Voluntarism and Limited Intervention

Nature of Policies

Philosophy of Government
1. Believed in individual self-reliance and voluntary cooperation between business, labor, and government.
2. Feared direct relief would weaken American character and create dependency.
Initial Measures
1. Federal Farm Board (1929): Attempted to stabilize agricultural prices by buying surplus crops. It failed as prices continued to fall.
2. Encouraged local charities and private businesses to maintain employment and wages voluntarily.
Public Works Efforts
1. Supported limited infrastructure spending such as the Hoover Dam to stimulate jobs and regional development.
2. Authorized Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC, 1932) to lend to banks, railroads, and industries.
Monetary and Fiscal Policy
1. Opposed large-scale government spending or deficit financing.
2. Raised taxes through the Revenue Act (1932), worsening deflation.

Definition

Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)

Federal agency created in 1932 to provide emergency loans to financial institutions; symbolized Hoover’s shift toward limited government intervention.

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Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit.

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Background

When the Great Depression struck in 1929, the United States was unprepared for its scale and duration.
President Hoover (1929–1933) clung to traditional laissez-faire principles, believing voluntary cooperation would restore stability. His cautious approach deepened public despair.
In contrast, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal (1933–1938) represented a decisive ideological shift toward government intervention, social reform, and economic regulation.
Though the New Deal did not end the Depression entirely, it fundamentally reshaped American political life.

Herbert Hoover (1929–1933): Voluntarism and Limited Intervention

Nature of Policies

Philosophy of Government
1. Believed in individual self-reliance and voluntary cooperation between business, labor, and government.
2. Feared direct relief would weaken American character and create dependency.
Initial Measures
1. Federal Farm Board (1929): Attempted to stabilize agricultural prices by buying surplus crops. It failed as prices continued to fall.
2. Encouraged local charities and private businesses to maintain employment and wages voluntarily.
Public Works Efforts
1. Supported limited infrastructure spending such as the Hoover Dam to stimulate jobs and regional development.
2. Authorized Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC, 1932) to lend to banks, railroads, and industries.
Monetary and Fiscal Policy
1. Opposed large-scale government spending or deficit financing.
2. Raised taxes through the Revenue Act (1932), worsening deflation.

Definition

Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)

Federal agency created in 1932 to provide emergency loans to financial institutions; symbolized Hoover’s shift toward limited government intervention.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Paper 1 - The Move to Global War6 subtopics

Paper 1 - Rights and Protest6 subtopics

Paper 1 - Conflict and Intervention6 subtopics

Paper 2 - Independence Movements5 subtopics

Paper 2 - Emergence and Development of Democratic States5 subtopics

Paper 2 - Authoritarian States7 subtopics

Paper 2 - Causes and Effects of 20th Century Wars4 subtopics

Paper 2 - The Cold War: Superpower Tensions and Rivalries4 subtopics

Paper 3 - History of Europe18 subtopics

Paper 3 - History of the Americas18 subtopics

Paper 3 - History of Asia and Oceania18 subtopics

IB History Solutions in the United States Notes

Background

Herbert Hoover (1929–1933): Voluntarism and Limited Intervention

Nature of Policies

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Background

Herbert Hoover (1929–1933): Voluntarism and Limited Intervention

Nature of Policies

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Paper 1 - The Move to Global War6 subtopics

Paper 1 - Rights and Protest6 subtopics

Paper 1 - Conflict and Intervention6 subtopics

Paper 2 - Independence Movements5 subtopics

Paper 2 - Emergence and Development of Democratic States5 subtopics

Paper 2 - Authoritarian States7 subtopics

Paper 2 - Causes and Effects of 20th Century Wars4 subtopics

Paper 2 - The Cold War: Superpower Tensions and Rivalries4 subtopics

Paper 3 - History of Europe18 subtopics

Paper 3 - History of the Americas18 subtopics

Paper 3 - History of Asia and Oceania18 subtopics