Final answer:
President Hoover took steps to combat the Great Depression, but they ultimately failed to stop the business decline due to their limited impact on economic recovery and lack of direct relief for the unemployed.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Hoover took action to combat the Great Depression by expanding public works programs, passing a tax cut, and creating the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) to issue loans to businesses. However, these steps ultimately failed to stop the business decline because they were not enough to stimulate economic recovery and restore confidence in the market. Additionally, Hoover's belief in rugged individualism and reluctance to provide direct relief to the unemployed hindered the effectiveness of his policies.