Herbert Hoover at the HelmHerbert Hoover at the Helm

Thinking Skill: Explicitly assess information and draw conclusions

We'd Like To Thank YouMartin Charnin

Today we're living in a shantyToday we're scrounging for a mealToday I'm stealing coal for firesWho knew I could steal?I used to winter in the tropicsI spent my summers at the shoreI used to throw away the paper--We don’t anymore…

We'd like to thank you: Herbert HooverFor really showing us the wayWe'd like to thank you: Herbert HooverYou made us what we are today

Prosperity was 'round the cornerThe cozy cottage built for twoIn this blue heavenThat you gave usYes! We're turning blue!

They offered us AL Smith and Hoover

We paid attention and we choseNot only did we pay attention

We paid through the nose.

In ev'ry pot he said "a chicken"

But Herbert Hoover he forgot

Not only don't we have the chicken

We ain't got the pot!Hey HerbieHey HerbieYou left behind a grateful You left behind a grateful nationnationSo, Herb, our hats are off to So, Herb, our hats are off to youyouWe're up to here with We're up to here with admirationadmirationCome down and have a little Come down and have a little stewstewCome down and share someCome down and share some

Christmas dinnerChristmas dinnerBe sure to bring the missus Be sure to bring the missus tootooWe got no turkey for our We got no turkey for our stuffingstuffingWhy don’t we stuff you?!Why don’t we stuff you?!

We'd like to thank you, Herbert HooverFor really showing us the wayYou dirty rat, youBureaucrat, youMade us what we are today

Come and get it, Herb!Come and get it, Herb!

Hoover and the Great Depression

•Believed in Laissez Faire Capitalism; pro-business

•Saw Depression as part of economic cycle; anticipated a rebound

•Relied on Localism, Cooperation, and Private Charity

•Relief should only come from states and localities

•Voluntary goals for business and labor

•Volunteerism failed because most acted in own interest

•Hoover Dam 1931

•Electricity, Irrigation, Public Works

•Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) 1932

•$1 billion in loans to help insurance companies, banks, agricultural co’s, railroads, and local governments.

•“Trickle-Down Economics”

•Hoover vetoed relief bills, waiting for corporate program to work

Hoover’s Response

•20,000 WWI veterans & family set up camp in DC to demand early payment of WWI bonuses

•Hoover threatens to veto bonus bill; Bill fails in Senate (textbook error here)

•Hoover offers return fare $ and 6,000 go home

•Hoover orders General MacArthur to clear the camp

•MacArthur is convinced of communist conspiracy

•MacArthur uses cavalry, tanks, bayonets, tear gas; Tent camp is burned down

•MacArthur ignores orders and forcibly drives them across the Potomac

Bonus Army (Summer 1932)

Election 1928

Election in 1932