1. Hoover’s Response Fails

2. How did Hoover Respond to the Great Depression?
He initially had no response hoping that the “hands off” approach would work  the economy would correct itself
Asked businesses and industries to maintain levels of employment and wages
Asked state and local governments to provide more jobs and relief  localism
Supported “rugged individualism”  the American people should improve their situation through their own effort without gov’t support

3. Urged Congress to create the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) to give government loans to business, industry, and banks to keep the economy going  trickle- down economics
He did succeed in one project that brought much-needed employment to the Southwest  Hoover Dam

4. How did Americans Respond to Hoover’s Failures?
Some Americans lost faith in America’s capitalism and pushed for socialism
WWI vets were promised a $ bonus for their service to be paid in 1945  wanted the $ early due to the depression
Thousands of veterans went to D.C. to protest  Bonus Army
Hoover sent Gen. Douglas MacArthur to remove the veterans by force
This further damaged Hoover’s approval among the American public