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= **Herbert Hoover** =

August 1874-October 20, 1964 Republican In office March 4th, 1929- March 4th, 1933 (one term) Vice President: Charles Curtis   Many know the name President Herbert Hoover by "Hoovervilles." President Herbert Hoover was the 31st president of the United States, during America's biggest economic struggles of all time, The Great Depression. If Hoover and his administration's actions were to be graded for his one term of office, they would receive a D+. The president was not in touch with the people during the Depression. He did little to help America. Stepping into office Hoover had the goal to relieve farmers. He attempted to accomplish this goal multiple times, one attempt being the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1929. This act was passed to control farm surpluses and encourage farm cooperatives by creating a Federal Farm Board. However, the Federal Farm Board was ended in 1933 because of its lack of authority. The Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act of 1930 was also an attempt to relieve farmers. It raised tariffs so American farmers would not have to compete with foreign competition. However, the plan seemed to backfire when it caused a global tariff war. Hoover did not succussfully accomplish his goals. Hoover had a great relationship with the 71st Congress (first two years of his term). The majority in both the house and the senate were Republican. No bills were vetoed. However, two years later when the 72nd Congress stepped up, problems arose. Republicans still held the majority in the Senate, but Democrats took control of the House. Hoover vetoed 37 bills during this time, three of which would go on to be overridden. In the end Hoover had a bad relationship with congress. The Norris-LaGuardia Act of 1932 was clearly the best decision Hoover made for America. This act improved laborer's freedoms by depriving the court of making injunctions against peaceful strikes. As long as a strike did not threaten damage to a person or property, it would not be under injunctions. The Norris-LaGuardia Act also banned the yellow dog contract. The yellow dog contract held workers to a no-strike agreement and denied them the right to unionize. The Norris-Laguardia Act was a huge step in the right direction towards worker's rights. It made it easier for laborers to go on strike and join a union. Although Hoover successfully improved workers rights, he failed at taking action to improve the terrible Great Depression. The Great Depression was caused by a number of things, one of which being the high tariffs that were instated after Wilson passed the Hawley-Smoot Tariff. In 1933, unemployment peaked at 25%. More shocking statistic are that 25% of American banks failed during the depression, and that crop prices fell 30% from 1930-1931. Analyzing these statistics, it is obvious that the Depression was harming American's to a great proportion. However, Hoover and his administrations did not seem to realize the enormity of the Depression. Hoover announced twice that things would get better soon. He was terribly wrong. Hoover was not in touch with the people. He did not put efforts into directing federal aid for the unemployed and he limited assistance to business. This was Hoover's biggest mistake. He did not help Americans that were effected by the Great Depression. His name is often affiliated with "Hoovervilles", the shanties that homeless Americans lived in during the depression. More names included the "Hoover Blankets" (newspapers), "Hoover Flags" (empty pockets turned inside out), and "Hoover Hogs" (jack-rabbits hunted for food). Hoover's decision to pass London Naval Treaty of 1930 had the longest effect on Americans. It placed regulations and limitations on American, British, and Japanese navys. However, in 1936 Japan refused to recognize the treaty. They broke the regulations. This caused a naval arms race up to World War II. This had an obvious long term impact by increasing naval strength up until the second World War. Herbert Hoover was not in touch with the people of America. Hoover and his administration would receive a D+ if they were to be graded. He did not do much to help the country during the Great Depression. America was in need of a President that they could relate to and to help their situation. Hoover did not seem to meet any of these needs. DeGregorio, William A., and Sandra Lee. Stuart. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents//. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade, 2009. Print. "Norris-Laguardia Act (1932): Major Acts of Congress." //ENotes - Literature Study Guides, Lesson Plans, and More.// Web. 02 Dec. 2010. . "Powered by Google Docs." //Google Docs - Online Documents, Spreadsheets, Presentations, Surveys, File Storage and More//. Web. 02 Dec. 2010. . ^It was a PDF, I wasn't sure how to site it so I just did the URL of the PDF^