How Did Hoover Contribute To The Great Depression

The Stock Market Crash of 1929 caused a big economic downturn known as the Great Depression, leading to the creation of Hoovervilles which were makeshift homes where homeless individuals and families sought refuge. Named after President Herbert Hoover, the communities in question were made up of makeshift homes made out of leftover materials, representing the nationwide poverty and struggle of the time. Hooverville stood as an effective reminder of the need for the government's involvement, which ultimately resulted in the New Deal, which was a set of laws designed to lessen the suffering of individuals impacted by the economic crisis. Hooverville" was a deliberately politicized label, emphasizing that President Herbert Hoover and the Republican

“Hoover, for one, felt that people should be self-reliant. He believed that if the government fed and sheltered the unemployed, it would go into debt.” (Hayes, Nancy 1) This demonstrates how Hoover was seen as a selfish president and was mocked by the ones struggling to live in the U.S. Families in need had no access to federal or state assistance programs such as the New Deal until 1933. Some people lived on the streets with their furniture since they could not find employment or pay their rent. The homeless gathered in unoccupied areas and built temporary "homes" from scrap wood. These neighborhoods began to spread more and more across the

President Franklin D. Roosevelt formed the New Deal, a collection of initiatives for change, to aid during the years of hardship. The Civilian Conservation Corps, which was founded in 1933, was one of these programs. Many young men were employed by the CCC, doing tasks like clearing land, planting trees, and creating parks. This provided employment during a time of job shortage while at the same time benefiting the environment. The CCC demonstrated to the nation how cooperation might help it overcome hardships. “275,000 young men between the ages of 18 and 25 enrolled in the CCC during the first three months of the program. Many of these men had been roaming the country in a desperate search for jobs.” (e.g. Living New Deal) This proves that many men were desperately looking for jobs to provide for their families and themselves. Although they weren't being paid much, at least it was something to survive off of. “The CCC ‘boys’, as they were called, received training, education, shelter, health care, food, and a monthly pay of $30 – $25 of which was required to be sent home to support their families.”(e.g Living New Deal) This points out the terrible living conditions that many men experienced during the Great Depression when finding work of any kind was necessary to survive. The CCC provided a lifeline for numerous families across the country, despite its barely sufficient compensation of