The 1932 Presidential Election: Hoover vs. Roosevelt

The 1932 Presidential Election

Overview of the Election

  • Event: Every four years, a presidential election occurs in November in the United States.
  • Main Candidates:
    • Herbert Hoover (incumbent, Republican)
    • Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) (Democrat)
  • Context: The election took place during the Great Depression.
  • Objectives:
    • Consider the candidates in the 1932 presidential election.
    • Explore each candidate's ideas for dealing with the Great Depression.
    • Assess reasons behind Hoover's loss and Roosevelt's victory.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964)

  • Age in 1932: 58 years old

Background

  • Orphaned by age 8; raised by uncles.
  • Early work experience in an office followed by studying mine engineering at university.
  • Worked as a gold miner, achieving promotions and saving money.
  • Had a successful career as a mining engineer, becoming a multimillionaire by age 40.
  • Entered politics after retiring from mining.

Political Party

  • Affiliated with the Republican Party (represented business interests).
  • Believed in laissez-faire policies, meaning the government should not interfere excessively in citizens' lives.

Political Career

  • Gained prominence for efforts to provide food aid in Europe post-World War I.
  • Elected President in 1928 during a period of economic prosperity, claiming that Americans would soon have 'two cars in every garage and a chicken in every pot'.

Ideas for Dealing with the Depression

  • Initially took a hands-off approach to the economic crisis, believing in rugged individualism: the idea that individuals can solve their problems without government assistance.
  • After several years of economic decline, he started providing limited aid:
    • Lended money to struggling businesses and farms.
    • Made cash available to states for unemployment relief.

Public Perception

  • Hoover was a poor public speaker, perceived as uncaring due to his individualistic approach.
  • His campaigning efforts were met with hostility (e.g., campaign train pelted with eggs and tomatoes).
  • Negative sentiments were publicly displayed (e.g., signs saying 'Hang Hoover').
  • Criticism of his rugged individualism; a journalist remarked on the tattered appearance of the populace versus Hoover's beliefs.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945)

  • Age in 1932: 50 years old

Background

  • Only child from affluent parents; raised in a privileged environment.
  • Educated at home by tutors until age 14, then attended an elite private school.
  • Studied law at Harvard.
  • Married Eleanor, his cousin, in 1905.
  • Entered politics in 1910.

Political Party

  • Member of the Democratic Party despite a Republican family background.
  • Chose the Democratic designation possibly for publicity or due to his wife Eleanor's influence, who advocated for the underprivileged.

Political Career

  • Played a critical role in organizing the navy during World War I.
  • Contracted polio in 1921, leading to permanent use of a wheelchair.
  • Became Governor of New York in 1928, a significant and visible political role.

Ideas for Dealing with the Depression

  • As New York Governor, he allocated $20 million of tax funds to assist the unemployed.
  • Outlined his plan for the presidency through the '3 Rs':
    • Relief: Assistance for impoverished groups such as the elderly, sick, unemployed, and homeless.
    • Recovery: Government programs to create job opportunities.
    • Reform: Initiatives to improve the lives of ordinary citizens and prevent future depressions.
  • Marketed these plans as a 'New Deal for the American people'.
  • Campaign strategy included extensive public speaking (up to 15 speeches daily) and the popular campaign song, 'Happy Days Are Here Again'.
  • Gained massive public support, symbolizing hope for recovery from the depression.

Public Perception

  • Some historians suggest FDR's disability helped him relate to ordinary Americans and their struggles.
  • His personal triumph over adversity contributed to favorable public opinion, with voters believing he had the experience necessary to lead the nation to recovery.

Related Ideas and Considerations

  • Rugged Individualism: The philosophy that emphasizes individual effort and independence over government assistance.
  • The New Deal: Roosevelts set of policies aimed at addressing the Great Depression; it resonated with voters looking for hope and solutions.

Reflection Questions

  1. Regarding Hoover:
    a. What does 'rugged individual' mean?
    b. How did Hoover's early life influence his belief in individualism?

  2. Regarding FDR:
    a. What were the '3 Rs'?
    b. What aspects of FDR's early life might make him seen as a suitable leader during the depression?

  3. From Source A, what insights does the photograph provide regarding FDR's election campaign?