Herbert C. Hoover Nicknamed the Great Engineer

Background Information Born August 10, 1874 in West Branch, Iowa Graduated from Stanford University in 1895 Was an engineer Married Lou Henry, February 10, 1899 Had two children Herbert Clark Jr. and Allan Henry 31 st President of the United States Died October 20, 1964 in New York City, New York

Background Information Cont. His father died when he was 6 3 years later his mother died He was orphaned at 8 years old After graduating, Hoover worked as a mining engineer in the Western United States, Australia, and China (18 years) Known for being able to solve technical problems Won election of 1928 by a big margin Won it because of his optimism and confidence

Significance When WWI broke out in London, Hoover was asked to head the Belgian relief program. So successful that in May 1917 he was back to head the U.S. Food Administration After Armistice he was placed in charge of the American Relief Administration, it was organized to feed war-ravaged Europe Also helped food production in the U.S. Transformed the Commerce Department into an effective instrument for implementing his philosophy Promoted American foreign trade

Significance Cont. Set up a Division of Housing to encourage home building Built the Bureau of Standards into one of the country's leading scientific research institutions Expanded national forests and parks Increased Federal highway spending Helped people a lot during the Great Depression Federal Farm Board (1929) His response to the Great Depression, stabilized prices and to promote the sale of agricultural products

Significance Cont. Helped passed 20th Amendment: “Lame Duck Amendment” Terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th of January Hoover Dam was named after him, worlds largest electric- power generating station and largest concrete structure (1936)

Conclusion He did more than any previous chief executive to combat a depression When he left office, he was probably the most hated President in American History When he die was widely respected as one of the nations foremost elder statesmen Completed his Memoir (3 Volumes) before his death