Herbert Hoover Research Paper

Herbert Hoover Research Paper

Herbert Clark Hoover, born August 10, 1874 was the son of Jesse Clark Hoover an Hulda Minthorn Hoover. At a young age Hoover lost both of his parents to illnesses and that forced him and his other two siblings to become orphans. Herbert was sent to live with Hulda’s brother John Minthorn in Newberg, Oregon. Way before his time in presidency Herbert was a well known Humanitarian. Around the time of the first world war he helped 120,000 stranded American tourists get home from Europe when the war began to take place. When the U.S. entered the war in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson assigned him head of food administration. Upon being granted this position Hoover encouraged Americans to eat less meat and other commodities therefore there will be enough food to feed the troops. Hoover was also head of the American Relief Administration and as the war ended he sent food to the war-ravaged Europe. The kindness of this man is indescribable. However, I say this to introduce not only a Humanitarian but the 31st president of the United States. During the time that Hoover ran for presidency he had no idea that his term could have gone left so quickly. Hoover effortlessly defeated his democratic opponent, Alfred E. Smith. He went into his term with high hopes for the future and nothing but success is what he wanted to bring about. Yet, only seven months after Hoover took office did the U.S stock market value drop tremendously sending the American economy into a downward spiral. This was the beginning of the Great Depression. All over the country banks had failed, businesses were closing, and millions of Americans were out of jobs. Not only did they lose their jobs but most lost their lifetime savings and their homes as well. The unemployment rate nationwide rose a full 20% within three years. (1929-1932) At the time of this crisis Americans knew nobody else to look to except the President of this country, they felt that the government was responsible for what was happening to their economy and their lives. Yet, who could blame them for