Many Americans blamed Herbert Hoover for the Depression. Based on what you’ve learned, were they right? Which statement most clo
sely matches your own opinion? People were right to blame Hoover because he raised the tariff. People were right to blame Hoover because he refused to make direct unemployment payments. People were wrong to blame Hoover because he did make efforts to improve the situation. People were wrong to blame Hoover because some of his programs, such as the RFC, needed more time to work.
The correct answer is - People were right to blame Hoover because he refused to make direct unemployment payments
While Hoover broke precedent to spend 2 billion dollars to safe banks and railroads from collapse, he was unwilling to spend any federal money for direct relief. He thought that government aid would destroy the feeling of neighborly cooperation and self-help so fundamental to the American way of life. This belief led Hoover to approve a measure providing 45 million dollars to safe cattle in Arkansas but oppose a 25 million grant to save Arkansas farmers.
