Hoover and the Great Depression

Hoover and the Great Depression

As the Great Depression escalated into a national crisis, American citizens looked to President Herbert Hoover for a federal response. Hoover was hailed by many as the “Great Humanitarian” and a wonder worker who could find a solution to their problems. However, Hoover was firmly entrenched in “laissez faire” ideology which would greatly limit his initial response to the Great Depression.

Hoover and the Great Depression “Laissez Faire”, a French word for “let

do” or quite literally “let it be”, accurately describes the economic philosophy that governed the United States during the early 20th century. Consecutive Republican administrations had allowed big business to control the economy and exercise complete control over wages. When the Depression began, many of major industries fired workers and greatly reduced the hours of their employees. These harsh measures were taken with no backlash from federal authority.

Hoover and the Great Depression

A firm believer in the traditional American virtues of industry, thrift and self reliance, Hoover believed that this economic crisis could be solved through persistent hard work and perseverance. But as the Great Depression worsened, even Hoover realized that he would need to take action. Hoover tried to implement more liberal policies but his “laissez faire” outlook greatly limited a significant response from the government.

Hoover and the Great Depression

Some of the most distraught and poor citizens throughout the Depression were veterans from World War I. Legislation had previously been passed that guaranteed these men a military “bonus” for their service that wouldn’t be paid until 1945. However, due to the hard economic times, these veterans demanded the immediate payment of their bonus.

Hoover and the Great DepressionIn 1932, this “Bonus Army” of 20,000 veterans marched on Washington D.C. in order to demand payment from Congress. They set up makeshift shacks and shelters often made out of scraps and squatted on vacant lots. When Congress refused to pass legislation that would pay their bonuses immediately many of these marchers returned to their homes.

Hoover and the Great Depression

When some of the veterans refused to leave, President Hoover ordered the federal army to remove the veteran protestors. Led by General Douglas MacArthur, federal troops descended on the veterans with tear gas, tanks, and machine guns. For many Americans, this brutal episode symbolized the ineptitude of the Hoover administration and its inability to deal effectively with the Great Depression.

The Election of 1932

After three years of Hoover’s failed policies and the discontentment of the American people, the Democratic Party eagerly prepared for the election of 1932. The Democratic Party had nominated Franklin Roosevelt, the charismatic and articulate candidate who was the Governor of New York.

The Election of 1932

A distant cousin of former President Teddy Roosevelt, FDR embodied the confidence that so many Americans yearned for. Roosevelt continually campaigned on a “New Deal” for American people where government intervention would become a necessity. Winning the election in a landslide, Franklin Roosevelt would come to redefine the American presidency.

The Election of 1932On his inauguration day, President Roosevelt continued to encourage American citizens that prosperity was not far off. He gave citizens hope in a very desperate time. As his voice boomed over a national broadcast, he declared to his audience that “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

The Election of 1932

Throughout Roosevelt’s Presidency he would begin to use the radio as a new medium to reach the American public. In what became known as his “fireside chats,” Roosevelt would address many of the pressing issues that were on people’s minds. Topics such as the banking crisis, the threat of fascism, and unemployment were addressed and his reassurance helped give Americans a peace of mind amidst their turmoil.

The New Deal

As soon as F.D.R. came into office, he immediately began to enact many of the government programs that he had promised throughout his campaign. These series of new government programs and reforms became collectively known as “The New Deal” In the first three months as president, later known as “The First Hundred Days” Roosevelt and Congress enacted more than a dozen measures to help relieve Americans from poverty.

The New Deal

In the very first day of his presidency Roosevelt passed legislation known as the Emergency Banking Act which enabled the government to take direction with banks. Roosevelt then enacted a “Bank Holiday” which closed down all banks and rushed them emergency federal funds. In doing so, he set up new policies for failed banks, increased government control, and assured that public that they could again put their money back into their banks.

The New Deal

Up next on Roosevelt’s agenda was creating programs that would allow Americans to return to work. Unemployment numbers had increased as high as 25% nationally and citizens were eager to find work of any kind. Many of these organizations focused on having young men occupied with work rather than dwelling on the streets.

New Deal ProgramsThe Works Progress Administration (WPA) represented Roosevelt’s major relief program. This organization employed more than 8.5 million people to build bridges, roads, public buildings, parks and airports throughout the country. As the largest of the New Deal programs, this organization would eventually come to an end in 1943.

New Deal Programs

The Agricultural Adjustment Administration was created to help farmers recover from the Depression and the overproduction crisis. This act essentially paid subsidies to farmers in return for cutting production. This allowed the federal government to cut down on overproduction while ensuring that farmers were still receiving adequate compensation for their work.

New Deal Programs

Throughout the Depression, banks had done little to instill confidence in the American public. However, through the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Americans deposits would now be insured up to 5,000 dollars. This encouraged citizens to put their money back into their local banks and no longer under their mattresses.

New Deal ProgramsOne of Roosevelt’s most lasting programs was the Social Security Act. A program that is still in existence today, Social Security ensured that retired Americans would have still have an income in their later years. Now all working Americans would be required to set aside a small portion of their paycheck to the Social Security program. This money would then be distributed to applicable retirees and ensured they would have an income even after they stopped working.

Lasting Impact of RooseveltThe lasting impact of the New Deal can still be seen throughout America’s countryside. Organizations such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many public works and created structures and parks that can still be seen across the nation. The CCC created over 800 parks nationwide and allowed young men to earn an income in order to support their families.

Lasting Impact of Roosevelt

The CCC had two main goals for America: conservation of natural resources and salvaging America’s young men. This organization was able to employ more than three million men with camps all throughout the country. One project of the CCC was the creation and advancement of Shenandoah National Park. Over ten camps housing up to 1,000 young men worked to create what became Skyline Drive.

Lasting Impact of Roosevelt

The New Deal also created a renewed confidence in the government’s ability to intervene in the economy. People now believed that the government should be responsible for providing public services. In politics there was a significant shift towards liberalism and the black vote would now be predominantly controlled by the Democratic Party.

Lasting Impact of Roosevelt

Roosevelt was also extremely successful in strengthening the Democratic Party. His political agenda would sustain the Democratic Party for generations to come. Coupled with New Liberalism and Social Welfare, F.D.R would massively increase the power of the federal government.

Causes of World War II

A) Aggression by the totalitarian powers of Germany, Italy, Japan (the Axis Powers)

Causes of World War II

B) Nationalism – all of the Axis powers firmly believed in the supremacy of their nation. This attitude often fueled their acts of conquest.

Causes of World War II

C) Failures of the Treaty of Versailles – the punitive nature of the treaty humiliated Germany and made it economically unstable. Growing poverty and unemployment fueled an angry and vengeful form of nationalism to grow in the ranks of the Nazi Party.

Causes of World War IID) Weakness of the League

of Nations – acts of military conquest by Germany, Italy, and Japan clearly violated several international treaties, but the League failed to take any significant action against these belligerents.

Causes of World War II

E) Appeasement – Britain and France adopted a policy of “appeasement” in order to avoid another war. Allowing Hitler and Mussolini to expand their empires only further fueled their aggression and desire for conquest.

Causes of World War IIF) U.S. isolationism – Many

Americans believed that the Great Depression was partially caused by U.S. involvement in the First World War. This led many to support an “isolationist” foreign policy that kept the nation out of European affairs. Much like Western European appeasement policies, U.S. isolationism only gave Hitler and Mussolini greater confidence to further expand their empires without consequence.