Final answer:
The 1928 presidential election pitted Governor Al Smith against Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover. Smith lost due to his unpopular positions and backlash from nativist groups. In the 1932 election, Hoover's handling of the Great Depression led to his defeat against Franklin D. Roosevelt, who promised change and increased government intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1928 Presidential Election
The 1928 presidential election featured Governor Alfred E. Smith of New York as the Democratic candidate and Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover as the Republican candidate. Smith's positions on issues such as being Irish, Catholic, anti-prohibition, and being a big-city politician made him unpopular with many voters, especially those in small-town, rural America. Hoover campaigned on his leadership of the Commerce Department and the prosperity of the decade, which resonated with many voters.
The Election Outcome
Herbert Hoover won the 1928 presidential election with the support of 21 million voters, compared to Smith's 15 million supporters. Smith's campaign faced nativist detractors and backlash, especially from groups like the Klan and anti-Catholic sentiment. Smith's loss could be attributed to these factors, as well as the growing influence of Franklin Delano Roosevelt within the Democratic Party, leading to his selection over Smith during the 1932 Democratic convention.