Lesson 4 - 1932 Presidential Election
The Republican response to the Great Depression.
The Republican response to the Great Depression, under President Herbert Hoover, has been widely debated. Many historians argue that the measures taken were largely ineffective and even counterproductive, as they failed to address the economic crisis's severity and systemic nature. A key component of this response was the Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act (1930), which is interesting because it is the type of policy that the second Trump administration is promising to enact and more importantly it gives me an excuse to share one of the finest classrooms scenes from Hollywood cinema. (Ferris Bueller's Day Off - 1986)
The Republican response to the Great Depression, under President Herbert Hoover, has been widely debated. Many historians argue that the measures taken were largely ineffective and even counterproductive, as they failed to address the economic crisis's severity and systemic nature. A key component of this response was the Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act (1930), which is interesting because it is the type of policy that the second Trump administration is promising to enact and more importantly it gives me an excuse to share one of the finest classrooms scenes from Hollywood cinema. (Ferris Bueller's Day Off - 1986)
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The Hawley-Smoot Tariff raised U.S. tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods to historically high levels. Its intent was to protect American farmers and manufacturers from foreign competition by encouraging the purchase of domestic goods. However, its effects were largely negative because ther countries responded by imposing tariffs on American goods, which led to a decline in international trade.
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Public works projects like the Hoover Dam were initiated to provide jobs and stimulate the economy, however, their scale was insufficient to make a significant impact. Hoover prioritized maintaining a balanced federal budget, leading to reduced government spending and higher taxes during a time when deficit spending could have stimulated demand. (see film below - The Presidential Election of 1932)
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Franklin D. Roosevelt won the 1932 presidential election because he was able to tap into the widespread dissatisfaction with the incumbent, Herbert Hoover, and the economic conditions of the time. He campaigned on a platform of "relief, recovery, and reform" and promised a New Deal to address the economic crisis. His campaign message resonated with many Americans, particularly working-class and rural voters, and he was able to defeat Hoover in a landslide.
Activity
Textbook pages 216-17 cover the 1932 presidential election. Complete the focus task on page 217. The reasons for Roosevelt's success are given as, the experiences of ordinary people, Republican policies, Republican actions and Roosevelt's election campaign.
Do you think that Hoover lost the election or do you think Roosevelt won it?
Activity
Textbook pages 216-17 cover the 1932 presidential election. Complete the focus task on page 217. The reasons for Roosevelt's success are given as, the experiences of ordinary people, Republican policies, Republican actions and Roosevelt's election campaign.
Do you think that Hoover lost the election or do you think Roosevelt won it?