Herbert Hoover

Definition

Herbert Hoover was the 31st President of the United States, serving from 1929 to 1933. He was a prominent engineer and humanitarian who played a significant role in the events leading up to and during the Great Depression.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hoover took office just months before the Stock Market Crash of 1929, which marked the beginning of the Great Depression.
2. As president, Hoover initially relied on voluntary cooperation between businesses and the government to address the economic crisis, rather than direct government intervention.
3. Hoover's policies, such as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, are widely criticized for exacerbating the depth and duration of the Great Depression.
4. Hoover's failure to effectively respond to the growing economic hardship led to his overwhelming defeat in the 1932 presidential election by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
5. Despite his reputation as a passive president during the Great Depression, Hoover had a long and distinguished career as a public servant, including his work as Secretary of Commerce and his humanitarian efforts during and after World War I.

Review Questions

• Explain how Hoover's belief in 'rugged individualism' influenced his approach to addressing the Great Depression.
  • Hoover's philosophy of 'rugged individualism' led him to believe that the government should not directly intervene in the economy during the Great Depression. Instead, he favored voluntary cooperation between businesses and the government, rather than direct government action. This hands-off approach was widely criticized for failing to provide sufficient relief and stimulus to struggling Americans, contributing to the depth and duration of the economic crisis.
• Describe the impact of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, signed into law by Hoover, on the United States and the global economy during the Great Depression.
  • The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, signed into law by Hoover in 1930, raised tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods. This protectionist measure was intended to support American industries and workers, but it instead led to retaliatory tariffs from other countries, which severely disrupted international trade. The resulting decline in global commerce exacerbated the economic downturn, contributing to the depth and duration of the Great Depression both in the United States and worldwide.
• Analyze how Hoover's failure to effectively respond to the Great Depression led to his defeat in the 1932 presidential election by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
  • Hoover's passive, hands-off approach to the Great Depression, rooted in his belief in 'rugged individualism,' was widely perceived as inadequate and ineffective in addressing the growing economic hardship faced by millions of Americans. His unwillingness to implement direct government intervention and stimulus measures, such as those later proposed by Roosevelt's New Deal, contributed to the worsening conditions and public dissatisfaction. This, combined with the devastating impact of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, led to Hoover's overwhelming defeat in the 1932 election, paving the way for Franklin D. Roosevelt's transformative presidency and the implementation of more aggressive, government-led efforts to combat the Great Depression.

Related terms

Rugged Individualism:

Hoover's belief in the ability of individuals and private organizations, rather than the government, to solve economic and social problems.

Hoover Dam:

A massive concrete arch-gravity dam constructed on the Colorado River, named after Hoover who authorized its construction while serving as Secretary of Commerce.

Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act:

A protectionist measure signed into law by Hoover that raised tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods, contributing to the severity of the Great Depression.