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Hoover & the Great Depression

Explore why Herbert Hoover was unable to effectively address the economic crisis of the Great Depression, and how his laissez-faire approach and inadequate policies exacerbated the suffering of the American people.

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Hoover & the Great Depression

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  1. Hoover & the Great Depression

  2. Essential Question Why was Herbert Hoover unable to cope with the Great Depression?

  3. Hoover Fails to Halt the Depression • President Hoover hoped to use information gathered from the American people to promote national economic development and, ultimately, relieve poverty. • By 1932, Hoover, who had once been one of the most respected men in the nation had become one of the most despised. • Hoover’s name became identified with the Great Depression. • Hoover remained true to laissez-faire capitalism.

  4. Hoover’s Philosophy • Hoover rejected demands for the federal government to provide direct payments to the unemployed and needy. • He believed that this would reduce the incentive to work. • Rather than government “handouts,” Hoover believed that voluntary private organizations should provide emergency relief. • Hoover believed it was NOT the role of government to step in for voluntary philanthropy.

  5. Hoover believed that when prices dropped low enough, people would resume buying, production would pick up and employment would increase again. • Most leading economists agreed. • His predictions turned out to be incorrect. • There was a lack of aggregate (total) demand which prevented the economy from recovering. • American could not buy more goods, no matter how little they cost.

  6. Hoover Finally Responds • Hoover… • Cut taxes • Increased federal spending • Directed a federal agency to buy surplus farm crops • 1932, Reconstruction Finance Corporation was established. • Gave emergency loans to banks and businesses – thinking that cheap loans would spur business • Hoover’s policies were seen as too little, too late!

  7. Americans found Hoover’s lack of leadership frustrating. • Families lost their homes because they were unable to pay their mortgages. • Hoovervilles – shantytowns for the homeless and unemployed • Typically found on the outskirts of cities. • Business Failures • 1929-1933, about 100,000 American businesses failed • By 1932, at the end of Hoover’s term, unemployment had reached 13 million people – nearly 25% of the nation’s workforce.

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