This deep dive covers Assessment by the Three Rs within New Deal Success or Failure for GCSE History. Revise New Deal Success or Failure in America 1920-1973 for GCSE History with 12 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 2 of 11 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
🧠 Assessment by the Three Rs
| ✅ Successes | ❌ Limitations |
|---|---|
|
RELIEF — Yes! • Millions helped, no one starved • CCC: 2.5m employed • WPA: 8m employed • Gave dignity through work, not charity REFORM — Lasting! • Social Security still exists today • Wagner Act protected unions • Banking regulation prevented crashes • Changed role of government permanently |
RECOVERY — Partial • Unemployment still 14% in 1937 • 1937 recession when FDR cut spending • WW2 finally ended Depression, not New Deal Who was left out? • Black Americans — discrimination continued • Women — often excluded from programs • Sharecroppers — AAA hurt them • Native Americans — limited help |
Practice questions for New Deal Success or Failure
Approximately how many young men did the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employ?
What was the approximate unemployment rate in the USA in 1937, despite the New Deal?
Quick recall flashcards
Unemployment 1933 vs 1940?
25% (1933) → 14.6% (1940) — real improvement, but still high; only WW2 brought full employment
New Deal: Relief success?
YES — millions helped, no one starved, dignity through work