Final answer:
Herbert Hoover's efforts to address the Great Depression included the expansion of public works, a tax cut, the creation of the RFC, and the endorsement of the Emergency Relief Act and Emergency Relief and Construction Act. His policies were seen as conservative and insufficient, failing to provide direct relief to those most affected, and he faced criticism for appearing insensitive to the struggles of ordinary Americans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Herbert Hoover's Response to the Great Depression
In the wake of the Great Depression, President Herbert Hoover implemented several policies to combat the economic collapse, despite his initial reluctance to engage in substantial government intervention. One of Hoover's early moves was to expand public works programs and secure a $160 million tax cut from Congress to stimulate the economy. Moreover, he established the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC), which provided loans to businesses in an attempt to revive economic activity.
As the Depression worsened, Hoover initiated the President's Emergency Committee for Employment (PECE), later renamed the President's Organization of Unemployment Relief (POUR), which supported state and private relief agencies rather than offering direct federal aid. The Emergency Relief Act of July 1932 marked a significant shift with up to $2 billion in loans for relief and public works projects, representing one of the earliest steps towards federal welfare programs and federal involvement in the economy. However, Hoover's measures were often seen as too conservative and failed to provide the necessary large-scale relief.
His endorsement of the Emergency Relief and Construction Act in 1932 further illustrated his shift towards intervention, authorizing the RFC to allocate $1.5 billion for public works, but limitations placed on the types of projects financed under this act curtailed its effectiveness. Hoover also faced criticism for his opposition to direct relief, as demonstrated by his resistance to a proposed $375 million Federal Emergency Relief Bill, which he argued undermined state sovereignty.
The limited scope of Hoover's programs and his prioritization of financial institutions in the RFC's loans led to a perception that he was out of touch with the needs of the average American. This perception was compounded by his response to the Bonus Army and the opulent lifestyle that was maintained within the White House during the crisis.