14.3 Hoover and the Depression (with a little 14.2)

The Dust Bowl Destructive over-farming in the 1920s left the land weak by the early 1930s – Combined with a draught, created the Dust Bowl Many farm families had to flee to California to find work there. – They earned the negative nickname “Okies”

The Dust Bowl Country men/boys joined factory workers in the search for work – Called “hoboes,” often traveled by hopping onto trains

Hoover’s Response Hoover was a conservative, believed in American “rugged individualism” – People succeed the most when they have to tough it out for themselves – Rather than get the govt. too involved, he only did things like encourage businesses not to fire workers and workers not to strike

Hoover’s Response Hoover did approve the construction of the Boulder (now Hoover) Dam – This provides water to California for agriculture Hoover attempted to save big businesses (hoping it would help the rest of us out too) Most of Hoover’s plans were too little, too late to save the economy.

Hoover’s Response 1932 the “Bonus Army” showed up in Washington, looking for bonus payments to WWI vets – Hoover and Congress turned them down – The Army was brought in to force the vets out using tear gas and bayonets