Elder Abuse

President Hoover and Roosevelt’s Actions During the Great Depression The Great Depression was an unfortunate American Crisis in the 1930s that left many American people with no money and no hope. Citizens had lost their confidence and needed a leader to rebuild people’s faith in America. While in office President Hoover and Roosevelt were challenged with the jobs to lead Americans out this tragedy. Both men took a unique approach into solving the Depression. President Hoover and Roosevelt both exhibited similarities as they served in office during the American Crisis of the Great Depression, however Roosevelt put more of an effort into creating programs in order to help save the American economy.
The two presidents’ took similar actions into finding a solution for the depression. Both presidents started public works programs in order to create more jobs. President Hoover started the construction of Boulder Dam, which later became known as Hoover Dam. President Roosevelt started the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a program that provided jobs as well as built dams and power stations to provide hydroelectric power to the Tennessee River Valley. TVA also provided seven states with flood control, set up schools and health centers. Both Presidents’ also provided help for farmers. President Hoover passed the Agricultural Marketing Act, which gave farmers loans and had the government buy a surplus of crops. President Roosevelt was involved in the Agricultural Adjustment Act, which paid farmers to produce fewer crops. President Roosevelt was also a part of the Farm Credit Administration, which provided low-interest loans to farmers. Another similarity would be that neither Hoover or Roosevelt successfully ended the Great Depression. With their never-ending optimism they helped Americans during these tough times. They led America to the best of their abilities and will always be remembered.
However, there were many differences in President Hoover and Roosevelt’s approaches. Hoover opposed direct relief and Roosevelt believed in direct relief. Hoover was afraid of direct relief creating a bureaucracy for the government. Roosevelt, on the other hand, created the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, which gave three billion dollars in direct federal aid. Hoover believed in limiting the amount of federal money spent, where as Roosevelt spent tons of federal money. Hoover failed at his attempt to help banks recover from the Great Depression. Roosevelt passed the Emergency Banking Act and created a bank holiday. Another difference is that Hoover ignored public criticism. Hoover failed at boosting Americans confidence. The majority of America began to dislike Hoover they blamed him for the Great Depression and felt like he wasn’t helping solve the problems. Americans felt very differently about Roosevelt for he was very popular and loved throughout America. Roosevelt succeeded at boosting Americans confidence, and he reacted to public criticism. People soon began to worry about the large amounts of money the federal government was spending, so Roosevelt cut back on New Deal programs and federal relief. However, this was a mistake because the economy plummeted and Roosevelt received more criticism then ever. Another difference between Roosevelt and Hoover was that Roosevelt had a plan. Roosevelt set up the New Deal program, found the country’s weaknesses and helped fix it. Roosevelt’s relief, recovery, and reform philosophy showed that he knew what he was doing and was able to help his country. Hoover’s individualism philosophy forced the people to deal with their own problems, showing them that Hoover would be no help to them.
Although neither president stopped the Great Depression, President Roosevelt had the best approach and more success in helping the American people. His New Deal program provided relief for the needy, recovery to the economy, and reform so that this economic crisis would never happen again. Hoover did not help the people when they most needed it, and instead left them to deal with their own problems. Roosevelt guided the people and reached out to them with a helping hand that showed Americans that the government does care about them. World War II is what finally lifted the country out of the depression but it was with Roosevelt’s laws and programs that made people proud to be Americans once again.
President Hoover and Roosevelt both exhibited similarities as they served in office during the American Crisis of the Great Depression, however Roosevelt put more of an effort into creating programs in order to help save the American economy. They both offered public works programs, helped farmers with loans and weren’t able to completely end the depression. However, they were very different when it came to offering direct relief, reacting to public criticism and philosophies. Roosevelt directly helped those who needed it and gave a needed reform to the country. Hoover wasn’t there for his people and didn’t believe in helping them. It was because of the hard work and leadership of Franklin D. Roosevelt that America has shaped into the wonderful country it is today.