AQA GCSE History Paper 1 (1AD), June 2025: Question 3

03 Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about the American economy in

the 1920s?

Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in

Interpretations A and B.

[8 marks]

The indicative content is designed to exemplify the qualities expected at each

level and is not a full exemplar answer. All historically relevant and valid

answers should be credited.

Target Analyse individual interpretations (AO4a)

Evaluate interpretations and make substantiated judgements in the

context of historical events studied (AO4d)

Level 4: Complex evaluation of interpretations with sustained judgement based 7–8

on contextual knowledge/understanding

Extends Level 3.

Students may progress from a developed evaluation of interpretations by

analysis of the relationship between the interpretations supported by factual

knowledge and understanding.

For example, the interpretations reflect both sides of the economy in the 1920s.

Interpretation A focuses on the positive side of the economy and the reasons

for the boom, but Interpretation B points out the negative side of the 1920s.

This is the more convincing opinion about the economy in the 1920s because

there were several social groups that had not benefitted from the boom

including farmers, immigrants and African-Americans.

Level 3: Developed evaluation of both interpretations based on contextual 5–6

knowledge/understanding

Extends Level 2.

Answers may assert one interpretation is more/less convincing.

Students may progress from a simple evaluation of the interpretations by

extended reasoning supported by factual knowledge and understanding.

For example, Interpretation A is convincing because the economy in the 1920s

had a boom period partly because people made money by speculation with

buying and selling shares. The price of shares increased so quickly that people

made a lot of profit. Some people bought shares ‘on the margin’ which meant

borrowing money to pay off their loan once they made a profit. Interpretation B

is convincing because it talks about one of the causes of the Wall Street crash––D –

which was overproduction. Companies stopped making such large profits

because sales dropped and so did the value of their shares.

Level 2: Simple evaluation of one interpretation based on contextual 3–4

knowledge/understanding

There may be undeveloped comment about the other interpretation.

Students may progress from a basic analysis of interpretations to simple

evaluation, supported with factual knowledge and understanding.

For example, Interpretation B is convincing because the boom did not last.

When the Wall Street Crash happened in 1929, the economy went bust. Huge

numbers of shares were sold in one day and all the values dropped. People

lost all their money, and it led to an economic depression.

Level 1: Basic analysis of interpretation(s) based on contextual 1–2

knowledge/understanding

Answers show understanding/support for one/both interpretation(s), but the

case is made by assertion/recognition of agreement.

For example, Interpretation A is convincing because people had money to

spend, and they bought lots of new gadgets. Cars were mass produced using

an assembly line. They became cheaper to buy.

Students either submit no evidence or fail to address the question 0