Stock Market Crash

Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression Notes

Big Questions

  • What were Hoover’s underlying beliefs regarding federal government responses to the Great Depression?

  • What actions did he take to alleviate economic distress?

  • How did he evolve during his presidency?

  • Were his potential solutions effective in addressing the economic crisis?

Document Summaries

Document 1: Herbert Hoover Campaign Speech, October 22, 1928

  • Hoover warned against increased government control during wartime, arguing it led to a centralized, socialistic state.

  • He advocated for "rugged individualism" and self-government, emphasizing minimal government intervention in the economy to restore confidence and enterprise.

Document 2: President Herbert Hoover, Press Statement, February 3, 1931

  • Hoover asserted that the main issue was not hunger but the method to prevent it without compromising self-help and individual responsibility.

  • He expressed concerns over federal appropriations leading to reliance on government charity, fearing a detriment to American ideals of self-governance and mutual assistance.

Document 3: President Herbert Hoover, Annual Message to Congress, December 8, 1931

  • Hoover remained opposed to government direct relief for individuals, attributing European unemployment issues partly to such practices.

  • He stressed the importance of local government and community support in addressing economic distress.

Document 4: President Hoover, Acceptance Speech for Republican Nomination, August 11, 1932

  • Hoover defined the federal government's role as protective, supporting local governments and institutions rather than providing direct relief.

  • He rejected the notion of government relieving individuals of their responsibilities to their neighbors and communities.

Document 5: 1935 Cartoon “Hooverville”

  • The cartoon reflects public sentiment regarding Hoover's perceived inaction during the depression, highlighting the disconnect between his policies and the realities faced by people living in "Hoovervilles."

Document 6: Caroline Bird, The Invisible Scar, 1967

  • Describes the severe suffering of Kentucky coal miners during the Depression.

  • Provides vivid illustrations of the dire living conditions and hunger, juxtaposed with Hoover's assertion that "no one has starved."

  • Highlights discrepancies between government claims and the real hardships experienced by many citizens.

Position and Justification

  • Choice A: A misguided and perhaps narrow-minded man, unable to see that his own policies caused and could not end the Depression.

    • Justification: Hoover's steadfast commitment to individualism and local responsibility often disregarded the overwhelming need for direct federal intervention in a rapidly deteriorating economic environment.