Final answer:
Hoover's response to Americans asking for relief during the Great Depression was to rely on voluntary efforts and local initiatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Hoover's response to Americans asking for relief during the Great Depression was to rely on voluntary efforts and local initiatives rather than direct federal relief.
Hoover's response to the Great Depression was based on voluntary efforts and the principle of rugged individualism, with limited government intervention, but many regard his actions as insufficient in addressing the crisis.
Herbert Hoover's response to Americans asking for relief during the Great Depression was primarily d) Relying on voluntary efforts and local initiatives rather than direct federal relief. This approach was in line with his belief in rugged individualism and his opposition to socialism. Although he expanded public works and cut taxes, and eventually enacted the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) to issue loans to businesses, his actions were considered insufficient for the scale of the crisis. Hoover's philosophy enshrined the concept of limited government intervention, and even with programs like the RFC, he resisted direct aid to individuals, causing many to feel his response did not adequately address the massive unemployment and economic distress of the American people.