Hardship and Suffering during the Depression Hoover's Response * Rejected direct relief as undermining to character and rugged individualism * Urged Americans to turn to community and church resources (Salvation Army, Community Chest, Red Cross) to meet needs of the poor

Hoover Gradually used federal agencies to address issues * Met with business and labor leaders to reduce layoffs and strikes * Financed federal work projects, such as massive dams in the West (Boulder, Hoover, and Grand Coulee)

3. Set up RFC (Reconstruction Finance Corporation) in 1932 to make loans to stimulate economy in a "trickle-down" manner The corporation was authorized to loan money to banks, railroads and other institutions. 4. Raised tariffs 33% by signing the Hawley-Smoot Tariff in attempt to keep foreign goods off the U.S. market.

The Bonus Army 10,000 to 20,000 World War I Veterans & families 10,000 to 20,000 World War I Veterans & families –Support the Patman Bill Authorize the government to pay a bonus to WWI vets Authorize the government to pay a bonus to WWI vets This bill would allow the early payment of the bonus This bill would allow the early payment of the bonus The bill was defeated The bill was defeated –Many left DC, some remained Hoover ordered the Army to remove them Hoover ordered the Army to remove them Violence and injury was a result as well as public outrage Violence and injury was a result as well as public outragehttp://

Early Days of the Depression

Bonus Army

The Dust Bowl

Dust Bowl The worst man-made ecological disaster in the US to date. Caused by severe drought combined with farming methods, 'Great Plow- Up’, Wheat boom of the 20s that did not include crop rotation.