Final answer:
Hoover's approach to the Great Depression emphasized self-reliance and voluntary cooperation, aligning with his belief in American individualism and minimal government intervention. His late and limited economic recovery measures were seen as insufficient to address the severity of the Depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Herbert Hoover's belief about the government's role in economic recovery during the Great Depression was centered around self-reliance and voluntary cooperation. He had a philosophy of American individualism and opposed significant government intervention in the economy. Hoover encouraged Americans to find their own solutions to economic hardship and urged businesses to voluntarily help stimulate the economy. While he did establish some federal intervention measures like the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC), these initiatives were generally seen as insufficient and came late, failing to provide the necessary relief to the suffering American people during the Depression. In contrast to direct aid, Hoover's approach emphasized a 'rugged individualism' where people should better themselves with minimal government interference.