Hoovers philosophy was “Rugged Individualism” where he thought that people should work for themselves without intervention from the government. During the time Hoover had become president to the 1932 elections, Hoover didn’t do much and let the country particularly run itself. This is because when Hoover came to power the United States was in the boom, everyone was making money so he just left everyone to do their job thinking that it would last forever.
In 1929 the stockmarket crash happened, Hoover thought it would only last for a short term and it would pass away. Hoover said in speeches telling everyone “Prosperity was just around the corner”. So Hoover carried on “business as usual” and waited for the depression to wear itself out. After America really started getting in trouble Hoover made some steps to improve Americas economic state. He cut taxes by $130 million, he spent money building a dam called the “Hoover Dam” and gave $300 million to states for the unemployed people, which reduced unemployment. But people thought this was too late and was not enough and that they should not of trusted him. “In Hoover we trusted, now we are busted.” But Hoover still kept on. In 1924, congress voted $3,500,000,000 to the American veterans of the First World War. In order to prevent an immediate strain on its funds, the government decided to pay the money over a 20-year period.
During the Depression, many of these veterans found it difficult to find work. An increasing number came to the conclusion that the money would be more useful to them in this time of need than when the bonus was due. A crisis point was reached in the summer of 1932. Since May, destitute veterans (ex-First World War serviceman) and their families had been arriving in Washington DC and demonstrating for the ‘bonus’ payment that had been promised to them by an act passed in 1924. The bonus, around $500, was not payable until 1945, but the veterans wanted it now. In camps around the city, about 25,000 veterans gathered. The government was worried by their presence. In the desperate atmosphere of the time, it was possible to see the veterans as revolutionary threat.
Hoover refused to meet the veterans, and by the summer the situation had reached stalemate. The veterans showed no sign of moving or taking any other action, and the government was not going to give them the bonus. Hoover decided that the veterans would have to be evicted. For weeks he could not make up his mind to act. But then he called in the army, which launched attacks on the marchers. It was stupid and cruel to let troops use full military equipment against them. Men, women and children were dragged out of bed, drenched with tear-gas and their poor shelters burnt down. Then the cripples, babies and pregnant women were driven up a steep hill at bayonet point.
People got fed up of Hoover and the government wanted change. The only solution was to choose a different party, which were the Democrats, and was lead by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s background was that he was from a rich family and was well educated and knew what he was talking about, which showed that he was a serious candidate.
Roosevelt firstly became senator 1910. Then he had an important post in the government helping to run the American navy. He then stood for vice president, but lost. In 1928 Roosevelt stood for election, for the post of governor of New York State, he won. Roosevelt was seen as a determined carrying politician because while he was governor of New York he spent $20million of public money to help the unemployed, which were mainly the working classes.
Roosevelt was seen as the right person for the job of president at the time for the elections because he thought that something should have been done about the depression. He wanted to help the people, for example from taxes. Hoover did not seem to like what Roosevelt was doing and kept on telling everyone that “Prosperity was just around the corner”
Roosevelt made many promises, some of them were to start unemployment benefits and set up large scale of government projects which would create new jobs. He also offered help to all the millions of hungry Americans. This was known as the “New Deal”.
People saw that Roosevelt was a strong and determined man who would fight for his country. He also had a lot of experience and plus when in 1921 he fought through a disease called Polio and recovered. People now saw him as a fighter and he could get passed everything if he tried, like a true American. So this is why people voted for him.
Roosevelt also promised the American people a “New Deal” this uplifted there confidence in him. He also one because he ran a very energetic and optimistic campaign which offered the United States hope, he was very promising and courageous and above all he was the only option over than Hoover who by now was the “Forgotten Man”.
