Longer Answers

Question 1

How did the Lend Lease programme help U.S. industry to grow?

Answer 1

The majority of contracts for equipment were with U.S. businesses  increased production  provided jobs  more spending

Question 2

Why did World War Two reduce unemployment in America?

Answer 2

1. Lend Lease American businesses had to increase production to supply equipment to allies  more workers were needed e.g. in factories ( more spending  increased production  more jobs  more spending etc).
2. America entered the war in December 1941  needed weapons, equipment etc. for its own war effort  production had to increase  more workers were needed.
3. Increasing demand for workers  wages increased  more spending  businesses made greater profits, and new businesses were set up to meet demand  more jobs.

Question 3

Why did leading industrialists support the Democrat government during the Second World War?

Answer 3

1. Large firms / businesses believed they would make a lot of money out of the war (by manufacturing war materials)  supported Roosevelt and co-operated with him.
2. War Production Board set up  Roosevelt asked leading industrialists for their advice on how to meet war production needs  Roosevelt won their support.

Question 4

How did World War Two help existing American companies to grow?

Answer 4

1. Some existing companies (e.g. Coca-Cola) followed American troops around the world to provide them with their products  set up factories around the world  became popular around the world  increased production  increased profit ( more jobs  more spending).
2. Some existing companies gained additional work (e.g. Wrigley’s packaged rations for U.S. forces)  gained greater popularity (e.g. Wrigley’s added their chewing gum to the rations) increased production  increased profit ( more jobs  more spending).

Question 5

Why did World War Two help agriculture to grow in America?

Answer 5

USA exported food to help its allies  increased demand for U.S. farm produce  prices increased  U.S. farmers’ profits increased.

Question 6

Why was the American government able to spend more money during the Second World War?

Answer 6

1. Leading industrialists supported the war  Roosevelt had enough support to raise taxes and spend government money.
2. Americans contributed $129 billion to the war effort by buying war bonds  gave the government money to spend on wartime production.