Hoover Struggles with the Great Depression Ch. 22 sec. 3 Hoover Struggles with the Great Depression

Facts about Herbert Hoover 1st president born west of the Mississippi River – from Iowa Orphaned at young age “rags to riches” story Stanford University Mining Engineer

Herbert Hoover Elected President in 1928 – promised every American family would have “A chicken in every pot and two cars in every garage”.

Hoover’s reaction to stock market crash Hoover tries to reassure American public Wanted Americans to remain optimistic and go about business as usual

Hoover’s philosophy of government Man of strong principles Belief in RUGGED INDIVIDUALISM – idea that people should succeed through their own efforts

Hoover reaction to depression Opposed any form of federal welfare or DIRECT relief (would weaken people’s self-respect) Individual charities and local organizations should provide relief Federal gov’t should limit their role and not take too much power

Hoover Quote about Government “Every time we find solutions outside of government, we have not only strengthened character, but we have preserved our sense of real government.”

Hoover’s actions Asked business leaders to work together to create solutions, avoid cutting wages or laying off employees Asked private charities to help out more NONE OF THESE SOLUTIONS WORKED

Public’s reaction to Hoover’s leadership Frustrated citizens create new terms: “Hoovervilles” “Hoover Blankets” “Hoover Flags” People blamed Hoover for their circumstances

Hoover starts to be more active… Creation of Boulder (Hoover Dam) – create jobs Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) – provides $$$ to banks & businesses to pump $ into the system to “trickle down”

The Bonus Army 1932 – over 10,000 veterans and families arrived in D.C. supporting a bonus bill to WWI veterans Senate voted down the bill, Hoover called on the marchers to leave but they stayed Hoover finally sends a force of 1,000 soldiers in to remove the veterans: people gassed, shot and injured – most Americans stunned by the incident & Hoover’s image suffers more