Compare And Contrast Hoover And Fdr

Jaiah Jackson

U.S. History 2

Mr.Grillo

May 31, 2023

The Great Depression marked a significant turning point of the United States, and the leadership of Herbert Hoover and Franklin Delano Roosevelt played a crucial role in shaping the nation's response to the crisis. While Hoover and Roosevelt shared a common goal of restoring the country’s economic prosperity, their approaches differed significantly. This essay will compare and contrast the backgrounds, policies, and leadership styles of these two presidents, to better understand their impact on American History. Herbert Hoover was born in 1874 in Iowa, and grew up in a quaker family. He studied geology at Stanford university, and later became a successful mining engineer. In contrast Franklin Roosevelt was born in 1882 in New York, to a wealthy family with a long history of political involvement. He attended Harvard University and later became a New York State Senator. Despite their different upbringings and educational backgrounds, both men shared a passion for public service and a desire to make a positive impact on society.

He implemented policies such as the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, which provided loans to struggling businesses, but ultimately failed to address the underlying issues of the depression. In contrast Roosevelt’s New Deal programs focussed on government intervention in the economy, with initiatives such as the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Social Security Act. These programs provided jobs and support to millions of Americans, and helped to stimulate economic growth. While both presidents attempted to address the challenges of the great depression Roosevelt’s approach proved to be more effective and