1931
The Great Depression
The Great Depression in the United States closely followed the Stock Market Crash of 1929.
Many people lost their savings, their jobs, and their homes.
In addition to the Stock Market woes a severe drought in 1930 caused many crops to fail causing further economic problems for the country.
Everyone began to feel the pinch.
Hoover believed that the relief should come from state and local governments organizing volunteerism, not the federal government.
However, the people were demanding that the President offer direct federal aid to those who were struggling.
This was completely opposite to Hoover's personal belief in helping people to help themselves rather than the government helping.
At first, he refused to establish direct federal aid because he believed it would lead to political corruption and the weakening of the morale of the American public.
President Hoover did institute many ideas to help the country through rough times.
By the end of 1930, the President had created the President’s Emergency Committee for Employment to promote private sector help for unemployment.
Construction of the Boulder (later named Hoover) Dam in Nevada was begun.
The White House Conference on Child Health and Protection was held.
The Veterans Administration was created by combining all federal services for veterans.
And the Drought Relief Bill was passed authorizing $45 million to aid farmers in the Midwestern and Southern states.
