Question

Why were the policies of the Hoover Administration ineffective in dealing with the problems of the Depression?

Answer 1

Hoover blamed the Depression on foreign economic collapse over which he had no control. Major European banks went bankrupt, causing alarm in other foreign banks. Great Britain went off the gold standard. The Bank of England no longer redeemed its paper money in gold bullion or coin. Investors feared that all paper money would lose its value so they withdrew $1.5 billion in gold from American banks. This further weakened the global economic situation. While not believing in charity by the government, Hoover did try and help the economic mess that began during his administration. He gave much of his money to charity and encouraged Americans to do the same. He broke with Republicans and did away with the taxes that had been placed on citizens during the Coolidge administration. He thought that would allow for more income being spent to help the economy rebound. He spent $500 million a year on public works and government programs to build or improve government properties. The most famous was the Hoover (Boulder) Dam. Congress established the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (continued by FDR) which created an agency to help banks, railroads, and other key businesses to stay in business thus helping the economy. All of these things could not stem the tide of the economic collapse. Hoover believed in a balanced budget and not pumping government money into the economy. He believed in "rugged individualism" and relied on the individual, the churches and private charities, and the local and state governments to handle most of the economic help that was needed.

Answer 2

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

President’s Hoover policies to the Great Depression were ineffective and failed because they were based on protectionism.

Hoover allowed the government to intervene in the economy raising the tariffs of the imports. The tariffs were so high on foreign products. Those countries affected by the Roosevelt decision did the same as a counter-measure, affecting the economy of the United States. Excessive government intervention made Roosevelt’s response to the Great Depression fail.