The Great Depression

When the Great Depression hit the United States, the two presidents that were in office, Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt had very different approaches on how to fix it. To be liberal means to agree on limits on people’s behavior by granting government certain limited powers, but only if the government acts for the common good of people and protects their private rights. On the contrary, conservatives are doubtful of change. Conservatives respect authority, customs and traditions. The current definition of liberal changed in 1964-65, when President Johnson created Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Welfare during his ‘War on Poverty,’ causing liberal Democrats to believe in big government. Also in 1964, the Republican’s nomination of Barr Goldwater started the process in which conservatives believed in small government and free markets. Hoover said that, “… [The Republican administration] declared that these businesses must be conducted with glass pockets…” (Doc A). All that is needed is government regulation of corrupt businesses. On the other hand, Roosevelt said, “If starvation and dire need on the part of any of our citizens make necessary the appropriation of additional funds…I shall not hesitate to tell the American people the full truth and ask them to authorize the expenditure of that additional amount…” (Doc E). If government regulation is reduced, and money is spent on things that will feed and employ people, then the Depression will be fixed. President D. Roosevelt’s excessive use of government spending illustrates how he is liberal. Contrarily, Hoover’s limited use of government resources demonstrates his conservative beliefs. Roosevelt did not wish to regulate government, but instead use government to create several agencies, often referred to as the “alphabet agencies” to help the American citizens. He believed that in order to be able to lessen the effects of the Depression, the government must be able to change.