How to Write an A-Level History Essay on the Social Impact of Unemployment after 1929

This guide will help you construct a well-argued and detailed essay answering the question: **Explain why unemployment had such a large social impact after 1929.**

Understanding the Question

Before you start writing, it's crucial to understand what the question is asking. This question requires you to analyze the **social consequences*of the high unemployment rates following the 1929 Wall Street Crash and the ensuing Great Depression. "Social impact" refers to the effects on people's lives, encompassing aspects like living conditions, health, crime, and social cohesion.

Essay Structure

A strong essay will follow a clear and logical structure:

**1. Introduction:**

**Set the Scene:*Briefly introduce the context – the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression.
**Highlight the Severity:*Mention the dramatic rise in unemployment, providing specific statistics for the US and mentioning the particularly dire situation faced by minorities.
**Thesis Statement:* Clearly state your argument about why unemployment had such a profound social impact. This will be the guiding argument for your entire essay.

**2. Body Paragraphs:**

**Each paragraph should focus on a specific social consequence of unemployment.*The information you provided in the prompt can be the basis for these paragraphs:
**Homelessness:*Discuss the rise of "Hoovervilles" and the sheer number of families evicted. Use statistics to emphasize the scale of the problem.
**Health:*Explain how poverty led to deteriorating health, including the spread of diseases and malnutrition.
**Suicide Rates:*Provide data on the increase in suicide rates and connect it to feelings of despair and hopelessness caused by unemployment.
**Crime:*Discuss the rise in crime as people resorted to desperate measures to survive.
**Provide evidence:*Support your arguments with historical facts, statistics, and examples.
**Analyze the impact:*Don't just describe the consequences; explain **why*unemployment led to these specific problems. For example, how did unemployment lead to an increase in evictions and homelessness?

**3. Conclusion:**

**Summarize your main points:*Briefly restate the key social consequences of unemployment you discussed.
**Restate your thesis:* Remind the reader of your overall argument and how you've proven it.
**Offer a broader perspective (optional):*You could briefly discuss the long-term impact of unemployment or compare the situation in the US to other countries.

Tips for a Strong Essay

**Be specific:*Avoid vague statements. Use specific historical details, statistics, and examples to support your points.
**Analyze, don't just describe:* Go beyond simply stating the facts. Explain the connections between unemployment and its social consequences.
**Use varied vocabulary:*Demonstrate your understanding of historical terminology and avoid repetition.
**Cite your sources:* Use footnotes or endnotes to acknowledge any sources you have used.
**Proofread carefully:*Errors in grammar and spelling can detract from your argument.

Remember:

This guide provides a framework. You can adapt it and include additional relevant information based on your own research and understanding. Good luck!