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(Edexcel) A-Level History USA:
Documentation Questions and Answers|
Fully Updated 2025/2026 Retake
Why did Truman struggle with Congress after WWII?
Congress was mostly Republican, and they didn’t like his Fair Deal ideas – they blocked
loads of his plans to improve welfare and civil rights.
What was the significance of the Korean War for US politics?
It made the Cold War feel real at home, boosted military spending, and made people more
paranoid about communism in the US.
Why did McCarthyism take off so fast in the early 1950s?
People were scared of communism and the USSR – McCarthy played on that fear, and the
media hyped it up loads.
How did the Vietnam War damage the presidency?
It made people lose faith in the president – they thought he lied about what was really going
on, especially after stuff like the Tet Offensive.
What effect did Watergate have on the power of the president?
It made people way more cynical – Congress brought in new laws to limit presidential power
and make sure presidents couldn’t act like Nixon again.
, 2
How did Reagan’s election in 1980 reflect public attitudes towards government?
People were sick of big government and economic problems – Reagan promised smaller
government and a return to traditional values, and that really connected.
Why did Roosevelt’s use of radio matter politically?
It helped him explain policies straight to the public – made people feel like he cared, which
built up loads of support.
What was the impact of the Great Depression on US politics?
It wrecked trust in the Republicans – people blamed them for not doing enough, so they
voted in FDR and the Democrats big time.
How did public attitudes to the presidency change between 1917 and 1980?
Early on, people respected the president a lot, but by the 70s, after Vietnam and Watergate,
trust had totally dropped.
How far did TV change the way presidents were seen?
A lot – it meant people could see presidents all the time, so image and communication
became super important, like with JFK’s calm TV style.
, 3
Why did Harding’s “return to normalcy” appeal to Americans after WWI?
People were tired of war and chaos – they wanted things back to how they were before, with
less international drama and more focus on the economy and jobs at home.
How did Coolidge’s policies reflect Republican ideas in the 1920s?
He kept taxes low, cut government spending, and basically let businesses do their thing –
classic Republican “hands-off” approach.
What was the impact of the Teapot Dome scandal on public trust in government?
It made people way more suspicious of politicians – it was proof that even high-up officials
could be corrupt and take bribes.
In what ways did FDR change the role of the president?
He massively increased presidential power – using radio to speak directly to people, passing
loads of laws fast, and getting more involved in the economy than ever before.
How far did the New Deal mark a shift from previous government policy?
It was a massive shift – before, the government stayed out of the economy, but now it was
helping banks, farmers, the unemployed – way more hands-on.
Explain why there was opposition to the New Deal from both left and right.
The right said it was too much government interference, and the left said it didn’t go far
enough to help poor people – so FDR was getting it from both sides.
(Edexcel) A-Level History USA:
Documentation Questions and Answers|
Fully Updated 2025/2026 Retake
Why did Truman struggle with Congress after WWII?
Congress was mostly Republican, and they didn’t like his Fair Deal ideas – they blocked
loads of his plans to improve welfare and civil rights.
What was the significance of the Korean War for US politics?
It made the Cold War feel real at home, boosted military spending, and made people more
paranoid about communism in the US.
Why did McCarthyism take off so fast in the early 1950s?
People were scared of communism and the USSR – McCarthy played on that fear, and the
media hyped it up loads.
How did the Vietnam War damage the presidency?
It made people lose faith in the president – they thought he lied about what was really going
on, especially after stuff like the Tet Offensive.
What effect did Watergate have on the power of the president?
It made people way more cynical – Congress brought in new laws to limit presidential power
and make sure presidents couldn’t act like Nixon again.
, 2
How did Reagan’s election in 1980 reflect public attitudes towards government?
People were sick of big government and economic problems – Reagan promised smaller
government and a return to traditional values, and that really connected.
Why did Roosevelt’s use of radio matter politically?
It helped him explain policies straight to the public – made people feel like he cared, which
built up loads of support.
What was the impact of the Great Depression on US politics?
It wrecked trust in the Republicans – people blamed them for not doing enough, so they
voted in FDR and the Democrats big time.
How did public attitudes to the presidency change between 1917 and 1980?
Early on, people respected the president a lot, but by the 70s, after Vietnam and Watergate,
trust had totally dropped.
How far did TV change the way presidents were seen?
A lot – it meant people could see presidents all the time, so image and communication
became super important, like with JFK’s calm TV style.
, 3
Why did Harding’s “return to normalcy” appeal to Americans after WWI?
People were tired of war and chaos – they wanted things back to how they were before, with
less international drama and more focus on the economy and jobs at home.
How did Coolidge’s policies reflect Republican ideas in the 1920s?
He kept taxes low, cut government spending, and basically let businesses do their thing –
classic Republican “hands-off” approach.
What was the impact of the Teapot Dome scandal on public trust in government?
It made people way more suspicious of politicians – it was proof that even high-up officials
could be corrupt and take bribes.
In what ways did FDR change the role of the president?
He massively increased presidential power – using radio to speak directly to people, passing
loads of laws fast, and getting more involved in the economy than ever before.
How far did the New Deal mark a shift from previous government policy?
It was a massive shift – before, the government stayed out of the economy, but now it was
helping banks, farmers, the unemployed – way more hands-on.
Explain why there was opposition to the New Deal from both left and right.
The right said it was too much government interference, and the left said it didn’t go far
enough to help poor people – so FDR was getting it from both sides.
