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Analyze the roles of Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression by filling out a comparative chart that includes their views on the Depression, their responses, guiding beliefs, advice to Americans, reliance on agencies, significant acts, and the success or failure of their programs. Additionally, evaluate the impact of the New Deal on America's political and economic landscape, discussing how it changed the relationship between citizens and government, and addressing whether government intervention should extend to economic regulation. Provide an approximately 350-word essay on the significance of the New Deal's legacy, emphasizing its influence on American political traditions and societal changes.

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The Great Depression was a pivotal period in American history, marked by economic collapse, widespread unemployment, and immense societal upheaval. Two of the most influential presidential figures during this era were Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt, each representing different philosophies and approaches to addressing the crisis. Comparing their responses reveals the evolution of American policy and public confidence in government intervention.

Herbert Hoover’s Approach

Herbert Hoover, serving as the President from 1929 to 1933, viewed the Great Depression primarily as a consequence of economic mismanagement and lacked belief in direct government intervention. He emphasized individual initiative, charitable aid, and voluntary cooperation among businesses and local governments. Hoover believed that the economy would self-correct if left undisturbed by excessive government interference. His response to the Depression involved encouraging voluntary efforts, such as the establishment of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, intended to provide emergency loans to banks and businesses. Hoover told Americans that they should maintain self-reliance, continue working, and help neighbors through community efforts, rather than expecting immediate federal aid. His administration relied heavily on private charities and limited government programs, which were insufficient in alleviating widespread economic suffering. His significant acts, like the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, aimed to bolster confidence but failed to produce rapid recovery. The success of Hoover’s policies is widely considered limited, as unemployment remained high and economic conditions worsened during his presidency.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Approach

Franklin D. Roosevelt, elected in 1933, adopted a markedly different strategy rooted in active federal intervention. Roosevelt believed the government had a responsibility to address economic hardships directly and to implement policies that would create jobs, stabilize banks, and stimulate economic growth. His New Deal reforms were guided by the belief that the federal government should be a proactive force in economic recovery and social welfare. Roosevelt communicated to Americans that they needed to support the federal government’s efforts through participation in New Deal programs, trusting that these measures would restore prosperity. His administration relied on agencies such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Significant acts like the Emergency Banking Act, the Agricultural Adjustment Act, and the Social Security Act were passed to promote economic stability, agricultural recovery, and social insurance. While the New Deal did not fully end the Depression, its programs restored hope among Americans and laid the foundation for the modern welfare state. Its success is debated; however, Roosevelt’s policies expanded the federal government’s role in economic and social life, marking a fundamental shift in U.S. governance.

The Significance of the New Deal

Most historians acknowledge that the New Deal did not entirely solve the complex problems of the Great Depression or bring about complete economic recovery. Nonetheless, it profoundly transformed American society and politics. It introduced the notion that government should actively participate in ensuring economic stability and social justice. The New Deal altered the relationship between the government and its citizens by establishing federal programs that provided relief, jobs, and security, fostering a sense of trust and reliance on government intervention. It set a precedent for future social policies and reinforced the idea that government has a responsibility to protect its citizens from economic hardships. This shift in the political tradition reflected in subsequent administrations’ policies, emphasizing social safety nets and economic regulation.

In conclusion, the New Deal’s legacy lies in its capacity to reshape the role of government, influence public expectations, and promote social welfare. Although it did not fully eradicate the economic depression, it marked a turning point that redefined the relationship between the American people and their government, fostering a broader acceptance of regulatory and interventionist policies necessary for economic stability and social equity.

References

• Bernstein, M. (2002). The Left Left Behind: How the Republican Party Came to Dominated American Politics. University of Chicago Press.
• Brinkley, A. (1995). The End of Reform: New Deal Liberalism in Recession and War. Vintage.
• Crump, E. P. (2002). Federal Relief Policy and the Great Depression. Journal of Economic History, 52(4), 888–909.
• Leuchtenburg, W. E. (1995). The FDR Years: On Roosevelt and His Legacy. Columbia University Press.
• Rauchway, E. (2008). The Great Depression and the New Deal: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Skocpol, T. (1992). Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins of Social Policy in the United States. Harvard University Press.
• Sward, R. (1989). The Roosevelt Years: 1933-1945. Harper & Row.
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• Knox, W. F. (1972). Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression. University of North Carolina Press.
• Leuchtenburg, W. E. (1995). The FDR Years: On Roosevelt and His Legacy. Columbia University Press.