Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, served from 1929 to 1933. He is often remembered for his…
Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, served from 1929 to 1933. He is often remembered for his presidency during the onset of the Great Depression.
Early Life and Career
Birth and Education:
Born: Herbert Clark Hoover was born on August 10, 1874, in West Branch, Iowa. He was the first president born west of the Mississippi River.
Education: Orphaned at a young age, Hoover was raised by relatives. He attended Stanford University, graduating in 1895 with a degree in geology.
Early Career:
Mining Engineer: Hoover worked as a mining engineer and consultant, traveling extensively around the world. His success in this field made him a millionaire by the age of 40.
Humanitarian Work: During World War I, Hoover led humanitarian efforts to provide food relief to Belgium and later served as the head of the U.S. Food Administration, where he promoted food conservation.
Political Career
Secretary of Commerce:
Service under Presidents Harding and Coolidge: Hoover served as Secretary of Commerce from 1921 to 1928. He was known for his efforts to promote efficiency in industry and government, and he played a key role in disaster relief efforts, including the response to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.
Presidency (1929-1933)
Election and Inauguration:
Election of 1928: Hoover won the presidency in a landslide, promising continued prosperity and technological progress.
Inauguration: He was inaugurated on March 4, 1929.
Great Depression:
Stock Market Crash: The stock market crash in October 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression. Hoover’s response to the economic crisis has been widely debated.
Economic Policies: Hoover believed in limited government intervention in the economy. He promoted voluntary cooperation between businesses and government, but these measures were largely ineffective in addressing the economic collapse.
Public Works and Relief Efforts: Hoover initiated public works programs, including the construction of the Hoover Dam, and supported the establishment of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to provide emergency financing to banks, businesses, and local governments.
Political Challenges:
Public Perception: Hoover’s inability to effectively combat the Depression led to widespread public dissatisfaction. Shantytowns built by the homeless were derogatorily named “Hoovervilles.”
Bonus Army: In 1932, Hoover’s administration faced criticism for its harsh response to the Bonus Army, a group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington, D.C., to demand early payment of their service bonuses.
Post-Presidency
Later Years:
Political Involvement: After leaving office, Hoover continued to be active in public affairs. He chaired commissions on government reorganization under Presidents Truman and Eisenhower.
Humanitarian Work: Hoover also engaged in humanitarian efforts, particularly focused on food relief during and after World War II.
Death:
Death: Herbert Hoover died on October 20, 1964, in New York City at the age of 90.
Legacy
Assessment:
Controversial Legacy: Hoover’s legacy is mixed. He is often criticized for his handling of the Great Depression, but he is also remembered for his humanitarian work and his contributions to public administration and engineering.
- Home
- /
- Regions
- /
- North America
- /
- United States of America
- /
- Presidents
- /
- Herbert Hoover
Advertisement:
- Whyte, Kenneth (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 768 Pages - 11/06/2018 (Publication Date) - Vintage (Publisher)
- Hardcover Book
- English (Publication Language)
- 957 Pages - 11/01/2011 (Publication Date) - Hoover Institution Press (Publisher)
- Leuchtenburg, William E. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 172 Pages - 01/06/2009 (Publication Date) - Times Books (Publisher)
- “At last, a biography of Herbert Hoover that captures the man in full… [Jeansonne] has splendidly illuminated the arc of one of the most extraordinary lives...
- Hardcover Book
- Jeansonne, Glen (Author)
- Hoover, Herbert (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 536 Pages - 10/06/2016 (Publication Date) - Martino Fine Books (Publisher)
- Rappleye, Charles (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 592 Pages - 05/23/2017 (Publication Date) - Simon & Schuster (Publisher)
We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
- Home
- /
- Regions
- /
- North America
- /
- United States of America
- /
- Presidents
- /
- Herbert Hoover
Comments