1. Chapter 14 Section 3 Notes What does the U.S. Government do? Not much
How does the Public react? Gets pretty mad

2. 1st step: Keep public calm
Hoover’s Beliefs
1st step: Keep public calm
Reassured them the economy would be
fine and everything would fix itself in time
believed in “rugged individualism”
Same as Coolidge
people should take care of themselves
not depend on handouts from government
2nd step: Convince economy
to operate as usual
leaders in business, banking, and labor
should work together to improve conditions
don’t cut wages, keep loaning $, don’t strike
Did it work?
NOPE – Just Wishful Thinking. Things got worse
Hoover quotes:
“We Shall Overcome
“Prosperity is just around the corner”
“Ups and Downs are Normal”

3. The Public’s Reaction to Hoover
Democrats win most Congressional elections in 1930 (Hoover was Republican)
people wanted a different approach
Hoover viewed as cold and heartless
Farmers upset
destroyed crops (if not in Dust Bowl)
Overproduction led to really cheap prices
Some violence when banks tried to take
land back due to not paying off loans
Media piles on
associates negative things
of Depression to Hoover
Shantytowns = “Hoovervilles”
Newspapers = “Hoover blankets”
Pockets inside out = “Hoover flags”

4. Hoover finally does a few things
Backs Cooperatives
Private banks or businesses working
together to solve problems
Federal Farm Board
farmers sell crops together
more control over prices
National Credit Corporation
big urban banks loan $ to small rural ones

5. Direct Involvement from U.S. Gov
Federal Home Loan Bank Act
Lowered mortgage rates for farmers
Made it easier to refinance loans
Reconstruction Finance Corporation
Gov. loaned around $1 billion to banks,
railroads, and other large businesses.
believed $ would “trickle down” to
regular people through job growth
and better wages

6. Did any of this work? A little… but Hoover waited too long to help.
Too much talking and meeting, not enough action

7. Still no direct relief to average people
People poor, tired, hungry, and desperate

8. Bonus Army led by Walter Waters about 15,000 WWI vets
wanted Patman Bill passed
would provide $500 per soldier
in extra wages
$1,000 was already promised,
but it was not supposed to be
paid until 1945.
$$$ would really help vets now
marched on Wash DC
refused to move until they
got $$$ (set up a shantytown)

9. Patman Bill Fails Hoover didn’t support it.
Most of Congress didn’t either.
After the bill’s defeat,
WWI Vets protest
Hoover uses current military
to force them to leave
Led by
General Douglas MacArthur
Future WWII General in Pacific
Major Dwight D. Eisenhower
Future WWII General in Atlantic
Future President
A couple deaths, many injuries
Shantytown destroyed
Big public relations nightmare
Clip on website about Bonus Army

10. Create a Diary Entry Date = July, 1932
Your Experience: Imagine you are a WWI Vet that was part of the 15,000 person Bonus Army in Washington D.C.
One Paragraph (5 – 8 complete sentences)
Explain why you went to D.C. in the first place.
Describe the struggles you’ve experienced during the Depression
Explain how the Patman Bill would help you and your family out
Describe how you feel after finding out that the Patman Bill failed.
Describe the scene that takes place afterwards as the military is forcibly removing you from public property.
Summarize your feelings on the overall event.

11. Exchange your diary with your table partner
Read through your partner’s entry
Make at least one change to the diary entry that makes it sound better.
Discuss the change(s) with your partner.
Any brave souls want to share their entries with the class before turning them in?

12. Hoover is clearly unpopular
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) easily defeats Hoover in 1932 Election (more next chapter)

14. One Major Accomplishment Hoover Dam
1st called Boulder Dam
built in Nevada
created many jobs
Killed nearly 100 workers
controls flow of the
Colorado River
provides hydroelectric
power, flood control,
and steady water supply
to a # of Western states
makes agriculture possible
in dry areas
largely responsible for the
growth of many major
western cities
(Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix)
Clip on website about dam