President Hoover’s Reaction to Great Depression Too Little, Too Late

President Hoover U.S. President from 1929 – 1933 Republican After the United States entered the war, President Wilson appointed Hoover head of the Food Administration. Acceptance speech quote: "We in America today are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of any land."

Hoover’s Philosophy Govt’s role was to encourage and facilitate cooperation between competing groups, not to control it He believed that Americans should take care of themselves and their families, rather than depend on the gov’t to bail them out Opposed any form of welfare, thought that charities should pitch in to care for less fortunate

Hoover’s Initial Reaction Caution! Urged key leaders to work together to provide solutions and to act in ways that wouldn’t make economy worse Asked employers to NOT lay off workers

Nation’s Economic Situation in 1930 The situation continued to worsen Unemployment continued to rise More companies went out of business Soup kitchens, shantytowns, and hoboes became common

Hoover takes action… Directed federal funds into public works projects such as Boulder Dam to jump start the economy and create jobs Backed several federal programs Federal Farm Board, National Credit Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, Reconstruction Finance Corporation

Hoover Dam Originally called Boulder Dam Provided electricity, flood control, and a regular water supply – also jobs Not opened until 1936, when Franklin Roosevelt was president.

Boulder Dam

And the economy’s response? Economy continued to decline “Hoovervilles”, “Hoover blankets” (newspapers), “Hoover flags” (empty pockets) Naming shantytowns after Hoover was a sign of the people’s dislike of Hoover’s approach to the economic situation Seen as too little, too late