1. “Rugged Individualism”
American economy can fix itself
Why?
European nations choosing socialist policies are still struggling to recover post WWI
Opposed Deficit Spending
Created only a few public programs to help citizens

2. 1 Hoover’s Plans - Industry Conferences
Series of meetings w/ banks, businesses, labor leaders
Businesses agree to keep factories open and stop slashing wages
RESULT:
Wages cut, jobs lost to try to keep businesses open
Little effect on economic recovery 1

3. 2 Hoover’s Plans - 2) Public Works Programs Government will pay
people to work
Construction jobs lost
from private sector
RESULT:
Gov’t can’t provide enough jobs unless it raises taxes (Hoover would not do that – he’s a republican!)
Little effect on economic recovery 2

4. 3 Hoover’s Plans - 3) Reconstruction Finance Corporation
$238 million loaned to banks and businesses
RESULT:
Just a drop in the bucket
Little effect on economic recovery 3

5. You’re out!

6. Hoover’s Views of Relief -
Federal Government should not be in the business of giving money to people. Instead…
State and Local Govt Responsible
Charities should be set up by private ind
However, he did reluctantly sign …..

7. Emergency Relief and Construction Act
Congress passed Public Works program
Money loaned to states and local governments so they can create jobs / build things
First time in history that Federal Government supplied direct funds to states
$1.5 Billion in public works
$300 Million directly to states
Too little Too late

8. Hoovervilles
As millions of Americans lost their homes across the United States, they gathered together in small shacks forming new communities.
What does the name of these areas help show about the feelings of many Americans?

9. American Communist Party organizes rallies
Hunger Marches
American Communist Party organizes rallies
Crowds began protesting across the US chanting slogans such as
“Feed the hungry, tax the rich!”

10. Prices for food and dairy dropped dramatically after WWI
Farmers Angry
Prices for food and dairy dropped dramatically after WWI
Farmers destroyed crops to raise awareness, cut supply, and raise prices
- Burn corn field
- Dump milk on highway

11. Vets given $500 but Hoover’s reputation tainted
BONUS ARMY
Over 15,000 vets march on Washington, DC to ask for early bonus from WWI ($1000 due 1945)
The Senate voted down the early bonus and Hoover ordered marchers out of Washington, DC
Cavalry, infantry and tanks clear camps. Shacks burned. Three dead, 54 wounded.
Vets given $500 but Hoover’s reputation tainted

14. Hoover-Carts

18. No plants/root systems to hold soil down
The Dust Bowl - Causes
Overproduction of wheat fields during WWI
No plants/root systems to hold soil down
Lower prices caused farmers to abandon fields
Livestock grazed and trampled fields
Drought hit by 1934
Dust storms form across the Great Plains

22. The Dust Bowl - Results Thousands moved to California looking for work
Soil Conservation Service Established
Crop Rotation
Shelter Belts
Thousands moved to California looking for work
“Okies”
Most remained homeless and jobless

23. The Election of 1932 vs Hoover FDR “We are turning the corner!”
“Happy days are here again!”

24. FDR Wins in a Landslide Victory
First Inaugural Address

25. FDR Reached out to the People
Fireside Chats
Conversations with the American people about important events dealing with our nation