Roosevelt and Franklin

President Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Herbert C. Hoover had many different views. Roosevelt was considered to be a liberal while Hoover was seen as a conservative. These characterizations are true and have shown great contrast through their personality. Both of these presidents had great impact on the Great Depression showing different beliefs for the country.

When the Great Depression first started in the United States, President Hoover was in office. Hoover to many Americans was considered a conservative. Hoover never acknowledged that the depression was in the United States. He felt it was a world affair and originated from outside the United States. He felt that if the federal government helped the people, it would undermine the American Character and individualism. He felt that the American people should help themselves during this time of crisis because they shouldn't be dependent on the federal government. If they were dependent on the government then it would make it seem to the American people that they can come to the federal government whenever they were in danger or trouble (Document A). He encouraged private charities and the Red Cross and various other charities made to help the people of America (Document C). During this devastating period, donations were declining rapidly when times got worse. Many people resented Hoover for his cruel actions. He then signed the Hawley-Smoot tariff that congress made on foreign goods. Hoover thought this would help manufacturers and farmers from having foreign goods not to be in American markets. If there weren't any foreign goods then the American people would have been forced to buy American goods. This worsens the economy because foreign nations further went in debt in their economy. This is shown by the political cartoon De Moines Register (Document D). In this picture Hoover is holding a rope connected to a boat falling over a waterfall to symbolize that America and his grasp on the countries terrible situation. The country was on the verge of bankruptcy and had huge problems, thus one little incident or slip can send the county deeper into depression. Hoover encouraged prohibition during his term especially by agreeing to the 18th Amendment. When banks and companies closed and more people became unemployed, Hoover felt it was the people's responsibility to bring back stability and bring back up the economy. His actions during his term only further the criticism many Americans had on him.

Franklin D. Roosevelt had many different views than Hoover. When Roosevelt won the election of 1932, many people voted for him because they felt he could do a better job. They were in desperate need to have a new leader to bring them out of the depression. Roosevelt was considered a liberal during his terms in office. He realized that the American people were in need for change. He believed in having reform, relief, and recovery for the people (Document G). When Roosevelt became president he decided that many new reforms had to happen. He wanted to make a New Deal where it would help the country. His Brain Trust was consisted of lawyers and college professors. These people would help make plans