William Huang

February 25th, 2015

Period 5

Chapter 11 Section 3 Hoover as President

Section Assessment
1. a) Two key ideas that helped shape Hoovers core beliefs were rugged individualism
and the associative state.
b) Hoovers basic beliefs were similar to those of Presidents Harding and Coolidge with
their ideas about the proper relationship among government, business and the people.
They favored a federal government that played as little role as possible in the affairs of
business.
c) Hoovers idea of rugged individualism was a terrific idea and I believe that it was
important for the government to not to destroy peoples belief in their own responsibility
and power.
2. a) Cooperative is an organization that is owned and controlled by its members, who work
together for a common goal. The Reconstruction for Finance Corporation, or the RFC,
was created by Congress in early 1932 to relieve the crisis authorizing up to $2 billion in
direct government loans to struggling banks, insurance companies and other institutions.
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act raised the cost of imported goods for American consumers,
making it more likely that they would purchase the cheaper American goods.
b) President Hoovers preferred approach to government in responding to the hardships
of the Great Depression was not effective as he had to break his desired approach to
create the RFC.
c) Despite Hoover breaking his commitment to avoiding direct relief to individuals, his
commitment to avoiding direct relief to individuals is still a very good principle to live
by. His belief lets the American people forge their own path and into their own success
without unnecessary interruption and meddling from the government.
3. a) The general reaction of the American people to Hoovers performance was not very
great, they did not approve of his performance.
b) Hoovers core beliefs contrasted with what many Americans wanted because he did
not want to work directly with people while the American people wanted just that.
c) Relief programs that Hoovers Democratic opponent might suggest might be welfare
programs and other programs that may directly positively affect individuals.

(#4 is on the other side)

4.

President Hoover
loses support from the
American people
Hoover's Philosophies
Focused on voluntary
cooperation, which did
not work out so well
5. Dear Editor,
Herbert Hoovers approach to the stock market crash and the depression are great
examples of a leader who is in tune with his people. Though it may not sound or feel like
it, he has definitely tried his best and has delivered a rocking solid performance as a
president in these tough, tough times.
Reading Check (Extra Credit)
1. President Hoovers two key philosophies were rugged individualism and associative
state.
2. Hoover went against his beliefs and directly helped banks, insurance companies and other
institutions via the RFC.
3. Hoovers inaction of directly helping the American people made voters believe that
Hoover did not care about the people.
Vocabulary (Extra Credit)
Associative state: voluntary partnerships between business associations and government
Hoover Dam: harness the Colorado River
Cooperative: organization that is owned and controlled by its members, who work together for a
common goal

Reconstruction Finance Corporation: RFC; authorized up to $2 billion to help economy

Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act: new tariff raised the cost of imported goods for American consumers