Hardship and Suffering During the Depression

1. What were some of Hoover's key convictions about government?        
Hoover believed strongly in the government of the United States, that if there was some type of problem then the government should step in to help. As the reading states, "Like many Americans of the time, Hoover believed that one of government's chief functions was to foster cooperation between competing groups and interests in society.If business and labor were in a conflict, for example, government should step in and help them find a solution that served their mutual interests" Therefore if there was to be some issue with poverty, he believed the government should step in. He did believe that the government's role was to help, but not to control. 
2. What did President Herbert Hoover say and do in response to the Great Depression?       
In response to the great depression, Hoover didn't give "hand outs". As the reading says, "They should take care of the,selves and their families, rather than depend on the government to bail them out. Thus, Hoover opposed any form of federal welfare, or direct relief to the needy" However he did "call together key leaders in the fields of business, banking, and labor. He urged them to work together to find solutions to the nation's economic woes and to act in ways that would not make a bad situation worse" He did things like ask business owners not to cut wages or lay off workers, and laborers to not demand higher prices and go on strike.He also "appealed to Congress to pass a series of measures to reform banking, provide mortgage relief and funnel more federal money into business investment" which was a change considering Hoover's general ideas.
3. Why do you think people blamed Hoover for the nation's difficulties?       
I think people blamed Hoover for the nation's difficulties because he wasn't leading the country when they were in trouble, which is what a president is supposed to do in a time of need. he was only "helping out" and not controlling, but to be frank, the position of president is a controlling position and he shouldn't have become president if he only wanted to help out the country. He also believed that social welfare shouldn't exist because people should be able to know how to make it on their own. Well, that's a super idea Hoover. People needed help so they asked for it, but Hoover was of none.

4. How did Hoover's belief in "rugged individualism" shape his policies during the Great Depression.

Think About:

• what his belief implies about his view of people

• how that translates into the role of government

• Hoover’s policies (How effective were they?)       
Hoover believed (as i already stated) that hand outs are not acceptable, He believed people should "succeed through their own efforts" Although this view did prove that Hoover had faith in the people of his country and did believe they could take care of themselves without assistance. This translates badly into his role in government however. Since Hoover had this belief about the people. he didn't take on a very good leadership role in helping the people, because he didn't think the people actually needed his help. His policies, although inspiring on some level, weren't very effective, people were blaming him left and right for the nation's difficulties.
5. What did the Bonus Army want and how did Hoover respond?      
The bonus army wanted to have the Patman Bill passed again because it was under debate and it would give permission to the government to pay out a bonus to WWI veterans that had not been adequately compensated for their service to the country. In response Hoover said " the Bonus Marchers were 'Communists and persons with criminal records' rather than veterans" he opposed the legislation. Fearing that the group would become violent, he had people gassed, including a baby, two were shot and some injured as well.

6. When Franklin Delano Roosevelt heard about the attack on the Bonus Army, why was he so certain that he would defeat Hoover?

Think About:

• the American public’s impression of Hoover (See your answer to No. 3)

• Hoover’s actions to alleviate the Great Depression (see your answer to No. 4)

• how people judged Hoover after the attack.       
Roosevelt was so certain to defeat Hoover because Hoover was just an awful president. No one liked Hoover, because he wouldn't help them in their time of need, which is what a president is supposed to do. He couldn't man up and be a president when he needed to be, he couldn't lead and he couldn't control the country, only help. What do you think a role in government is for? Hoover also got over 1000 killed that had fought for the country, because they wanted to be paid for their service. Not only was he a bad president, but just a bad person.