Chapter 14 Section 3 Notes What does the U.S. Government do? Not much How does the Public react? Gets pretty mad

1st step: Keep public calm Hoover’s Beliefs 1st step: Keep public calm Reassured them the economy would be fine and everything would fix itself in time believed in “rugged individualism” Same as Coolidge people should take care of themselves not depend on handouts from government 2nd step: Convince economy to operate as usual leaders in business, banking, and labor should work together to improve conditions don’t cut wages, keep loaning $, don’t strike Did it work? NOPE – Just Wishful Thinking. Things got worse Hoover quotes: “We Shall Overcome “Prosperity is just around the corner” “Ups and Downs are Normal”

The Public’s Reaction to Hoover Democrats win most Congressional elections in 1930 (Hoover was Republican) people wanted a different approach Hoover viewed as cold and heartless Farmers upset destroyed crops (if not in Dust Bowl) Overproduction led to really cheap prices Some violence when banks tried to take land back due to not paying off loans Media piles on associates negative things of Depression to Hoover Shantytowns = “Hoovervilles” Newspapers = “Hoover blankets” Pockets inside out = “Hoover flags”

Hoover finally does a few things Backs Cooperatives Private banks or businesses working together to solve problems Federal Farm Board farmers sell crops together more control over prices National Credit Corporation big urban banks loan $ to small rural ones

Direct Involvement from U.S. Gov Federal Home Loan Bank Act Lowered mortgage rates for farmers Made it easier to refinance loans Reconstruction Finance Corporation Gov. loaned around $1 billion to banks, railroads, and other large businesses. believed $ would “trickle down” to regular people through job growth and better wages

Did any of this work? A little… but Hoover waited too long to help. Too much talking and meeting, not enough action

Still no direct relief to average people People poor, tired, hungry, and desperate

Bonus Army led by Walter Waters about 15,000 WWI vets wanted Patman Bill passed would provide $500 per soldier in extra wages $1,000 was already promised, but it was not supposed to be paid until 1945. $$$ would really help vets now marched on Wash DC refused to move until they got $$$ (set up a shantytown)

Patman Bill Fails Hoover didn’t support it. Most of Congress didn’t either. After the bill’s defeat, WWI Vets protest Hoover uses current military to force them to leave Led by General Douglas MacArthur Future WWII General in Pacific Major Dwight D. Eisenhower Future WWII General in Atlantic Future President A couple deaths, many injuries Shantytown destroyed Big public relations nightmare Clip on website about Bonus Army

Create a Diary Entry Date = July, 1932 Your Experience: Imagine you are a WWI Vet that was part of the 15,000 person Bonus Army in Washington D.C. One Paragraph (5 – 8 complete sentences) Explain why you went to D.C. in the first place. Describe the struggles you’ve experienced during the Depression Explain how the Patman Bill would help you and your family out Describe how you feel after finding out that the Patman Bill failed. Describe the scene that takes place afterwards as the military is forcibly removing you from public property. Summarize your feelings on the overall event.

Exchange your diary with your table partner Read through your partner’s entry Make at least one change to the diary entry that makes it sound better. Discuss the change(s) with your partner. Any brave souls want to share their entries with the class before turning them in?

Hoover is clearly unpopular Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) easily defeats Hoover in 1932 Election (more next chapter)

One Major Accomplishment Hoover Dam 1st called Boulder Dam built in Nevada 1929 - 1936 created many jobs Killed nearly 100 workers controls flow of the Colorado River provides hydroelectric power, flood control, and steady water supply to a # of Western states makes agriculture possible in dry areas largely responsible for the growth of many major western cities (Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix) Clip on website about dam