There is still wide debate over what caused the Great Depression. In reality, there were a lot of different causes, which all combined into one massive, extreme depression which lasted a decade. We know about the stock market crash and the fear of buying which stagnated the economy. The question to be asked is: was President Hoover to blame for the Great Depression?
Hoover was a Republican. He believed in the orthodox theory that a healthy economy is one free from government. In the early phase of the Depression, he recognized a problem ensuing, but he didn't take active steps to prevent the problem from worsening, because he believed that, given time, the economy will heal itself.
When the stock market spiraled out of control, banks started closing, the layoffs began, and "Hoovertowns" were built, Hoover undertook various measures designed to stimulate the economy (rather than just directly aid the growing amount of victims of the Depression), and a few of the programs he introduced became key components of later relief efforts. However, his conservative views influenced the strength of these measures. For example, he established the President's Emergency Committee for Employment (later renamed the President's Organization for Unemployment Relief) to coordinate the efforts of local welfare agencies. He also passed the The Emergency Relief and Construction Act in 1932 loaned money to states so they could employ more people. This was mirrored in the New Deal, credited to Roosevelt. However, Hoover vetoed several bills that would have provided more relief to struggling Americans.
So, in conclusion, the answer is that Hoover is somewhat responsible. He could have done more to prevent the problem in its early stages, but it wasn't his fault that the economy crashed in the first place. After all, the economy is independent of the government, according to Hoover's views!
http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/herbert-hoover
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/cliffsnotes/subjects/american-government/after-the-stock-market-crash-how-did-president-hoover-try-to-help-the-economyafter-the-stock-market
Bennett - Your post gave interesting information about a president whom is considered so controversial because of the Great Depression. I asked my father in the car about America's overall stance on Hoover and he responded that he was seen as a president who did very little an had very little impact to the country. I think what he meant was that he did very little for America in the crux of the Great Depression. I liked how this wasn't entirely dependent on Hoover, while one can argue that it is the role of a president to address the country regardless of hard times, Hoover had a difficult situation in his hands. I agree that he did not handle it appropriately, he should have been more proactive in addressing the dwindling economy. After reading first person accounts of the Great Depression, it is depressing to realize how impactful and real it really was. American families had to split up in order to find work and literally all the "promise" lands such as California were barren and could be just as bad as where the people came from. Hoover did not leave the greatest legacy but we cannot entirely blame him.
ReplyDeletehttps://fdrlibrary.org/great-depression-facts
Bennett, I liked how you analyzed both sides of this controversial question about Hoover's role in causing the Great Depression. Overall, I believe far too much of the blame is heaped onto him. Hoover's presidency itself was not a major contributing factor in creating the Great Depression. Rather, a large number of Americans were already in a poor state, especially farmers and non-whites, before the onset of the Depression. I think the already enormous poverty problem, which had gone unnoticed by most Americans, was worsened under Hoover and therefore became obvious to the public. Although I agree that his Republican views contributed to the increased severity of the crisis due to his refusal to implement strong government programs, overall I believe Hoover himself was not at fault to the degree that many people believe he was.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Shawn and his view that although Hoover may be to partially to blame for the Great Depression, he definitely received more backlash than he deserved. While Hoover did not directly aide individual Americans, he still focused on providing indirect aid in the form of funds from non-government sources. Personally, I find his unwillingness to assist individuals to be backed by his beliefs, and by keeping the government from providing assistance, he demonstrated great character and dedication to his personal morals. While more direct government assistance could have helped reduce the effects of the Great Depression, the economy of America was already experiencing difficulties before the advent of events such as the Stock Market Crash of 1929.
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