Download The US Government and the Great Depression

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Section
3
Words to Know
public works
construction proiects paid for by public funds
relief
help given to poor people
B y 1"932, most Americans blamed President Hoover
for not doing enough to fight the Great Depression.
Many people were surprised that Hoover had no
answers. They felt it was time to look to another leader.
President Hoover's Actions
Herbert Hoover was a smart businessman who was
a millionaire by the age of 40. During World War I, he
had headed the government bureau that sent food and
clothing to people in need in Europe.
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Herbert Hoover was
the first President to
be born west of the
Mississippi River. He
was bof'n in West
Branch, lowa.
When the Great Depression hit, Americans wondered
why a smart businessman had so few plans for
helping the U.S. economy. They also wondered why a
man who helped Europeans in need could not find a
way to help Americans.
In fact, some of President Hoover's actions made the
problems in the economy worse. In 1930, Hoover
signed a law that hurt trade with foreign countries.
As a result, fewet goods came into the United States.
American businesses wete not able to sell goods
overseas. The slowing of trade meant that European
countries had to default on money they owed to the
United States.
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Chapter 19 . The Great Depression
. 1929-1934 363
Once President Hoover understood how serious the
Great Depression was, he did take some action.
President Hoover asked Congress to pass several laws
to help people in the United States.
L. One law started public works to put people to
work. Public works are construction projects paid
for by public funds, such as building roads, docks,
and canals.
2. A second law cut taxes.
3. Another law lent money to banks and othár
businesses.
Most of Hoover's actions came too late to be helpful.
Hoover's main belief was that helping people would
destroy their freedom. It would make them depend
too much.on the government. Hoover believed the
government should not be responsible for solving
the problems of the economy.
What actions did President Hoover take to fight the
Great Depression?
A New President
m
President Hoover was not able to solve the problems
caused by the Great Depression. Yet, he ran for a
second term. Hoover tried to show that he should be
chosen over Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who ran
against him in the election for President.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt
won the election of 1932.
Roosevelt believed that the government should do
more to help Americans during this difficult time.
Hoover believed that Roosevelt's plan was a danger to
the American way of life. According to Hoover,
Roosevelt's plan would give the U.S. government too
much power. Hoover saw danger in a government that
was too strong.
In L932, Americans elected
a new President, Franklin
Delano Roosevelt. Roosevelt won easily. The American
364
Unit 6 . Years of U ncdrtaintv
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people felt a change had to be made. They hoped a
new leader could do something to help the nation.
For many Americans, Roosevelt's speeches were
filled with hope. He called for strong government
programs to care for suffering families. He called for
relief payments. Relief is help given to poor people.
Roosevelt said the government had a duty to "see
that no citizen shall starve."
When he took office, Franklin D. Roosevelt said it
was the government's job to end the Great Depression
"Our greatest task is to put people to work," he said,
Elþft., did Franklin D. Roosevelt win the election
Yot r'gSz so easily?
Section 3 Review
L. How did President Hoover feel about offering
relief to people during the Great Depression?
2. What did Franklin D. Roosevelt call for in'
helping Americans during the Great Depression?
3. Critical Thinking What did the election of L932
show about Americans' response to President
Hoóver's policies?
4. Write About Gitizenship You plan to vote for
Roosevelt in L932. Write a radio commercial
telling why people should vote for Roosevelt.
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Chapter 19. The Great Depression.
1929-1934
365