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Born: August 10, 1874 in West Branch, Iowa Died: October 20, 1964 in New York, New York Term of Office: 1929-1933 Vice President: Charles Curtis (1929-1933)

Herbert Hoover During his presidency, Herbert Hoover made many great decisions during for America. Some of these good decisions can be seen in the Good Neighbor Policy, the Hoover Dam, and the conservation of land and forest. But, Herbert can be seen as somewhat of a push-over in the fact that he did not back or fight for his beliefs and what he wished to do for America. He had a less-than-solid relationship with Congress. Herbert also had some bad decisions. These decisions led to the inaction by Hoover during the infamous Great Depression. Due to all of these factors, even though some good was done, Hoover deserves a middle-of-the-road C.

Hoover's goals going into his term were to improve the economy. He wished to boost the nation's agriculture production and reform tariffs. Hoover's goal to bolster agriculture can be looked at as being achieved early on in his presidency. Hoover wished to construct a Federal Farm Board. This Farm Board would loan money to farmers in the hopes that crops would be more prominent in the market eventually. At first, Congress and Hoover were in a pride match over the bill. But eventually, Congress gave in and let Hoover have his board. Eventually, his board was ended because of its inability to control much. Hoover's second attempt to help relieve farmers was his tariff reforms. His proposed Smoot-Hawley tariff helped farmers on a local scale, but eventually led to a global tariff war. This plan had severly back-fired. Hoover's goals were achieved, but in the long run, his actions had negative consequences for America.

The Hoover-Congress relationship can be looked at as very rocky. For the first half of his term, Hoover had an okay relationship with the Democratic majority in Congress. Problems mainly arose with the 72nd, Republican majority Congress. They disagreed on Hoover's Federal Farm Board and tariff reform. Republicans, contrary to Hoover, opposed higher tariffs. While Hoover was trying to help out the poor, lowly farmers, the Republican Congress believed that there were more pressing matters and the nation did not have the time to implement higher tariffs on imported foodstuffs and industrial goods. Another disagreement occured over the Bonus Bill in 1931. Hoover had vetoed this bill and Congress passed the bill regardless.

Hoover's most positive action was in foregin affairs with his Good Neighbor policy. This policy was aimed towards South and Central America. Hoover embarked on a ten-week tour of Latin America in which he made twenty-five speeches. These speeches declared a decline in military and political presence in Latin America and its affiars. This led to Hoover's removal of American troops in Nicaragua in 1932. He also signed a treaty with Haiti ending American presence and resolved disputes between the countries of Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. These actions from Hoover gave Latin America and better impression of its neighbor to the north, essentially strengthening the bond between North and South America.

Hoover's action that had the most negative outcomes for America had to be the Smoot-Hawley tariff bill. The bill harmed world trade, further weakening the American economy during a crucial time. Hoover's insistence and the persistence on the bill further worsened his relationship with the Republican dominated Congress. This bill looked to help American farmers in economic standards, but really only dug America further into a deep, dark hole of a bad economy. Passing this bill around the time of the Great Depression was a horrible mistake and only did bad for America.

It would have to be said the the decision made by Hoover which had the longest lasting affect would be his Good Neighbor policy. This policy did nothing but good for America. It improved foreign relations, improved the look of America to other smaller, developing countries, and placed a good precedent with Latin America. Other presidents built off this platform, such as F.D.R. This decision benefitted the country and presidents for years to come.

When Hoover's term came to an end, the country's economy was in the drain. Although, while in office Hoover made some positive strides in foreign policy, which helped the country greatly. Even though Hoover had made some bad economic and politcal decisions, he greatly improved the look and prestige of America in outher country's eyes. For these reasons, Hoover deserves a C.

Bibliography:

"American President: Herbert Clark Hoover." //Miller Center of Public Affairs//. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. <[]>.

"The Complete Book of Presidents" William A. DeGrreorio