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The Great Depression: The Hoover Years
Essential Questions
- Does President Hoover deserve the blame for conditions during the early years of the Great Depression?
- How did the average American experience the Great Depression? How did identity factors affect how the average American experienced the Great Depression.
- How did the Great Depression impact migration patterns across the country ?
Did Hoover fail to support the American people during the Great Depression?
Hoover’s Response to the Great Depression(1929-1930)
- Rugged Individualism: Hoover believed government involvement to solve problems would actually led to more instability. Hoover called on business leaders to maintain production and employment. He also relied on the American people to help eachother out during hard times.
- In November 1929, Hoover invited business leaders to the White House and secured promises to maintain wages. Hoover believed financial losses should impact profit, not employment or wages.
- No Direct Relief: Hoover believed if the government provided direct relief to the American people, states, industry, and “American Neighbors” would no longer take the initiative to help. Felt government aid would destroy neighborly good will and self-motivation to “pull yourself up from the bootstraps”.
- Asked Congress for a $160 million tax cut & to double spending on federal works program.
- Supporting Industry: Hoover abandoned the laissez fiare policies of the 1920s and bailed out big businesses, the railroad, and banks, by creating the Reconstruction Finance Corporation.
- Secured promises to speed up the pace of large scale construction programs to aid employment by 1930.
- Signed the Hawley-Smoot Tariff to protect American Agricultural and industrial sectors, backfired - European nations raised prices
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Trickle Down Economics: Hoover believed if the government supported industry, industry could remain operational and keep Americans employed. He believed the benefits of prosperous businesses would benefit the public. Hoover relied on industry to share prosperity with their employees
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Regarding the Continued Employment (1930): To address the growing unemployment, Hoover created the President’s Emergency Comittee for Employment to coordinate state & local relief program. The PECE saw limited success due to lack of overall coordination. Hoover calls on the Federal Reserve to extend more credit and persuaded congress to transfer agricultural surplus to the American Red Cross for relief efforts.
In 1931, PECE transitioned to the President’s Organization for Unemployment Relief (POUR) and raised millions for unemployment benefits, but could not meet the increasing needs as unemployment continued to increase.
Pop Culture: Music
Wide range of musical genres characterized the decade
- Jazz swing Blues Gospel _
Upbeat TEmpo, catchy tunes, and lyrics enticed people to get up and dance
- “Can’t be sad if you’re dancing”
Popular musicians:
- Duke Ellington, Count basie Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman
Pop Culture: Radio/Movies
- The radio was a lifeline for the american people during the great depression
- Much like today’s TV
- The radio provided news and entertainment to the American People_
- Soap Operas, Crime dramas, music, fireside chats, etc..
- Popular shows included The Green Hornet, The Lone Ranger, the Shadow,
- Even though movies were pricey, many families enjoyed a night out to escape the reality of the depression.
Pop Culture: Entertainment/Fads
- Board Games ( Monopoly )
- Provided cheap entertainment that could be used multiple times
- Dance Contests
- Contestants received free meals for the duration of the contest
- Soapbox Car Racing
Clothing/Fashion
Industry fashion promoted glamour and better times Many Americans put off new shoes & clothing to save money
- Patched old clothes, used old fabric to make new items, etc.
Flour sack dresses: Marketing technique by flour producers.
- Flour sacks were made from patterned cloth and could be made into anything
Meals/Eating
- Food shortages in urban areas = limited options for meats and fresh produce.
- Creative meal planning to stretch the dollar and still provide a filling meal for the entire family
- Popular Dishes:
- Macaroni, chili, stews, carrot pie, “garbage plate”, etc.
1932 Election
The election came down to one central question.
Should the government provide for the needs of its poeple during times of crisis and get involved in the economy
Would you vote to reelect Hoover or take a chance and vote for Democrat FDR? Elect FDR