“Rugged Individualism” American economy can fix itself Why? European nations choosing socialist policies are still struggling to recover post WWI Opposed Deficit Spending Created only a few public programs to help citizens

1 Hoover’s Plans - Industry Conferences Series of meetings w/ banks, businesses, labor leaders Businesses agree to keep factories open and stop slashing wages RESULT: Wages cut, jobs lost to try to keep businesses open Little effect on economic recovery 1

2 Hoover’s Plans - 2) Public Works Programs Government will pay people to work Construction jobs lost from private sector RESULT: Gov’t can’t provide enough jobs unless it raises taxes (Hoover would not do that – he’s a republican!) Little effect on economic recovery 2

3 Hoover’s Plans - 3) Reconstruction Finance Corporation $238 million loaned to banks and businesses RESULT: Just a drop in the bucket Little effect on economic recovery 3

You’re out!

Hoover’s Views of Relief - Federal Government should not be in the business of giving money to people. Instead… State and Local Govt Responsible Charities should be set up by private ind However, he did reluctantly sign …..

Emergency Relief and Construction Act Congress passed Public Works program Money loaned to states and local governments so they can create jobs / build things First time in history that Federal Government supplied direct funds to states $1.5 Billion in public works $300 Million directly to states Too little - Too late

Hoovervilles As millions of Americans lost their homes across the United States, they gathered together in small shacks forming new communities. What does the name of these areas help show about the feelings of many Americans?

American Communist Party organizes rallies Hunger Marches American Communist Party organizes rallies Crowds began protesting across the US chanting slogans such as “Feed the hungry, tax the rich!”

Prices for food and dairy dropped dramatically after WWI Farmers Angry Prices for food and dairy dropped dramatically after WWI Farmers destroyed crops to raise awareness, cut supply, and raise prices - Burn corn field - Dump milk on highway

Vets given $500 but Hoover’s reputation tainted BONUS ARMY Over 15,000 vets march on Washington, DC to ask for early bonus from WWI ($1000 due 1945) The Senate voted down the early bonus and Hoover ordered marchers out of Washington, DC Cavalry, infantry and tanks clear camps. Shacks burned. Three dead, 54 wounded. Vets given $500 but Hoover’s reputation tainted

Hoover-Carts

No plants/root systems to hold soil down The Dust Bowl - Causes Overproduction of wheat fields during WWI No plants/root systems to hold soil down Lower prices caused farmers to abandon fields Livestock grazed and trampled fields Drought hit by 1934 Dust storms form across the Great Plains

The Dust Bowl - Results Thousands moved to California looking for work Soil Conservation Service Established Crop Rotation Shelter Belts Thousands moved to California looking for work “Okies” Most remained homeless and jobless

The Election of 1932 vs Hoover FDR “We are turning the corner!” “Happy days are here again!”

FDR Wins in a Landslide Victory First Inaugural Address

FDR Reached out to the People Fireside Chats Conversations with the American people about important events dealing with our nation http://www.mhric.org/fdr/fdr.html