1. A Tragic Tale of Herbert Hoover’s Response to the Great Depression

2. Today’s Objective After today’s lesson, students will be able to…
Describe Hoover’s response to the Great Depression
Explain why he was ineffective
Essential Skill
Explicitly assess information and draw conclusions

3. Causes of the Great Depression
In your group, examine one of the most cited causes of the Great Depression
Brainstorm possible solutions and write them on your sheet
Be prepared to share your solutions

4. Election of 1928

5. Ineffective Manager of the Great Depression
Viewed Great Depression as natural downturn in economic cycle; anticipated a quick rebound
Believed in “rugged individualism,” “localism,” and “volunteerism”
Refused to provide direct federal assistance to Americans; millions fell into poverty
Favored “Trickle-Down Economic” theory to spur economic recovery; critics claimed too little trickle…

6. Public Perception of Hoover’s RFC
1932 – Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) loaned billions to insurance companies, banks, agricultural organizations, railroads, and local governments
Americans criticized “corporate welfare” program
Appeared callous & unwilling to admit that people were starving, his ideas were failing

7. “Hoovervilles”
Shantytowns built by homeless people during the Great Depression
Called “Hoovervilles” to criticize President Hoover’s failure to provide direct economic relief to the people

12. “Hoover Hogs” were armadillos eaten by the poor during the Depression; others ate jackrabbits, also known as “Hoover Hogs”

13. “Hoover Blankets”

14. “Hoover Heaters”

15. “Hoover Flags”

16. Hoover’s Fate is Sealed
July 1932 – Hoover directed General Douglas MacArthur to drive out the Bonus Army camped in Washington DC
MacArthur and George Patton used cavalry, tanks, and bayonet-bearing soldiers with tear gas to forcibly remove the vets, women, and children, burning their shacks.

17. Americans Shocked!!!
MacArthur’s 12th infantry gassed more than 1,000 marchers, including an 11-month old baby, who died
Two vets were shot and scores injured
Americans were outraged and once gain, Hoover’s image suffered

19. Hoover Dam

20. Election of 1928

21. Election of 1932 Roosevelt to the Rescue!

22. Political Cartoons
With your group analyze the political cartoons and answer the questions on the sheet
Read the comparison of both presidents’ speeches. Who’s approach do you agree with?
What was Hoover’s response to the Great Depression? What was FDR’s response?
Summarize at the bottom of the page

30. Prosperity was 'round the corner
The cozy cottage built for two
In this blue heaven
That you gave us
Yes! We're turning blue!
They offered us Al Smith and Hoover
We paid attention and we chose
Not only did we pay attention
We paid through the nose.

31. In every 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 Herbie
You left behind a grateful nation
So, Herb, our hats are off to you
We're up to here with admiration
Come down and have a little stew
Come down and share some
Christmas dinner
Be sure to bring the missus too
We got no turkey for our stuffing
Why don’t we stuff you?!

32. We'd Like To Thank You Martin Charnin
Today we're living in a shanty
Today we're scrounging for a meal
Today I'm stealing coal for fires
Who knew I could steal?
I used to winter in the tropics
I spent my summers at the shore
I used to throw away the paper--
We don’t anymore…
We'd like to thank you: Herbert Hoover
For really showing us the way
You made us what we are today

33. Come and get it, Herb! We'd like to thank you, Herbert Hoover
For really showing us the way
You dirty rat, you
Bureaucrat, you
Made us what we are today
Come and get it, Herb!