1. Warmup
What was the Dust Bowl?

2. Objective: Hoover’s philosophy during the 1930’s
Hoover as President
Objective: Hoover’s philosophy during the 1930’s

4. Philosophy Core beliefs – business
Knew exactly how he wanted to run U.S.
Less than a year in office – stock market crash
Hoover looked to his beliefs to guide him

5. “Rugged Individualism”
Served under Harding and Coolidge
Shared many of the same beliefs
Government regulation threatens prosperity
“One of the great problems of government is to determine to what extent the Government itself shall interfere with commerce and industry and how much it shall leave to individual exertion … opportunity and freedom to the individual, our American experiment has yielded a degree of well-being unparalleled in the world.”

6. “Rugged Individualism”
Hoover did not reject the idea of government oversight
Also did not believe in letting business do whatever they want
Hoover believed it was important for people to feel responsible for themselves

7. The Associative State
Individualism does not necessarily mean not government interaction
Businesses should form associations
Government would the “cooperate” with the associations to determine the best route for the U.S.
Associative state

8. The Associative State Was secretary of commerce
Often held meetings with business leaders and discussed how to achieve national goals
Used these conferences while president too
Urged corporations not to lay off workers
If companies did not lay off workers – there could be money available for consumer goods

9. Hoover Dam
Dam that would harness the Colorado River to provide electricity and a safe water supply
Group of six independent companies joined to construct
Served to demonstrate the success of partnerships between corporations and the government
21,000 men and $165 million

10. Voluntary Cooperation
Before crash – how to help farmers?
Program of loans to create and strengthen farm cooperatives
Organization owned and controlled by its members – work towards a common goal
Large groups of farmers could buy supplies at lower prices
Help distribute agricultural knowledge

11. Voluntary Cooperation
After crash – still rely on cooperation
Not government intervention

12. Hoover During the Depression
What did Hoover think the president’s job was during the Great Depression?