Final answer:
Rugged individualism, championed by President Hoover, refers to the belief that individuals should succeed without government help, whereas direct relief involves the government actively aiding the needy. Hoover's approach was to encourage voluntary efforts and limited government intervention through programs like the RFC, contrasting with Roosevelt's New Deal relief efforts that provided more direct support to Americans during the Great Depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term rugged individualism is associated with President Herbert Hoover and refers to the belief that individuals should be able to manage their own success without interference or aid from the government. Hoover maintained this philosophy during the Great Depression, initially resisting government intervention and advocating for voluntary business measures to address economic issues.
On the other hand, direct relief is a concept where the government plays an active role in providing aid to those in need. Critics of Hoover's approach argued that his reluctance to provide direct relief hastened the suffering of many Americans during the Depression. Roosevelt, Hoover's presidential successor, instituted a series of relief efforts, including federal employment programs, which were a marked departure from the rugged individualism Hoover espoused.
Hoover's administration did enact some federal relief programs, such as the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC), but these programs were limited in scope and largely ineffective in providing immediate help to struggling individuals. This contrasted sharply with the relief efforts provided under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which included more direct support and public works projects, in an attempt to alleviate the suffering caused by widespread unemployment and economic downfall.