Final answer:
Herbert Hoover's public opinion deteriorated significantly from his first to last year in office due to his inability to effectively address the Great Depression, culminating in one of the lowest presidential approval ratings in history.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Herbert Hoover’s public opinion began with high expectations as he entered office during a time of prosperity, with Americans hopeful for continued economic growth. However, the onset of the Great Depression quickly altered perceptions as Hoover's policies proved inadequate to address the crisis. Notably, his adherence to American individualism and reluctance to provide substantial government aid led to a swift decline in approval. His response to the Bonus Army, among other things, depicted him as out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Americans. By the close of his presidency, many viewed his efforts to combat the depression as too little, too late, resulting in one of the lowest approval ratings for any U.S. president.
As Hoover persisted in his moderate, yet largely ineffective, strategies, the situation worsened, and the public grew increasingly unhappy. The small-scale programs he initiated only reached a fraction of those in need, further damaging his standing with the American populace. By the summer of 1932, Hoover was widely viewed as a defeated president, symbolizing the nation's own disappointment and despair. His failure to revitalize the economy or provide direct relief to suffering Americans sealed his political fate, leading to a demand for a more charismatic leader capable of pulling the nation out of its economic turmoil.