President Herbert Hoover

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, although he was a devoted public servant, Herbert Hoover's response to the economic crisis, which he did not cause, was limited by his personal philosophies, his Republican attitude toward the role of the federal government and his view of the Constitution. The author points out that Hoover's denial that a larger problem existed, one that needed governmental intervention, was a critical issue in his ineffectiveness in handling the economic crisis. The paper relates that, whether it was wariness of socialism or the belief that Americans would support one another until the depression "blew over", Hoover did not act when he should have and acted poorly when he finally chose to act.

From the Paper:

"Midway through 1930, President Hoover signed into law the destructive Smoot-Hawley Tariff, increasing import fees on thousands of items coming from Europe and elsewhere. Of the act, he said, "Within a year...we shall have regained the peak of prosperity" (Schwarz 80). The tariff was supported by industries that wanted more for their products. Yet, it was strongly protested by economists who understood that such a wide tariff is ineffective; with more goods included in the tariff, benefits to particular industries cancel out in the greater economy (Schwarz 80). Hoover, probably feeling the pressure of low public approval, made the move against these protests. The chain reaction that followed nearly destroyed the American system of banking."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Forbes, Malcolm S., Jr. "Time to Remember." Forbes 155.13 (1995): 23-24.
• Hoover, Herbert. "Prediciton Regarding the Abolition of Poverty in the United States." Public speech during presidential campaign, New York City. 22 October 1928.
• Lord, Lewis. "A Concrete Legacy of the Dole." U.S. News & World Report 135.11 (2003): 12.
• Roosevelt, Nicholas. A Front Row Seat. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 1953.
• Schraff, Anne E. The Great Sepression and The New Deal: America's Economic Collapse and Recovery. New York: Moffa Press, 1990.

More papers on President Herbert Hoover:

• Term Paper # 91183 : "Herbert Hoover's Presidency"
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• Research Paper # 43614 : "President Hoover"

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