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New Deal Dbq Research Paper

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Following a decade of prosperity, thoughts of continuing improvements gained the confidence of Americans. The collapse of the stock market was just the beginning. Under the administration of Hoover and Roosevelt, Americans demanded government intervention for relief but were let down. On October 24, 1929, also known as “Black Thursday”, the rise in stock prices faltered losing half of their value in a single day. When it fell, investors began to sell their stocks. Between 1929 and 1932, the stock market value dropped 75%. Banks and other businesses suffered heavy losses. Layoffs and cutbacks lowered purchasing, so fewer people bought cars and appliances. By 1932, unemployment went up to 25 percent. The reason for the Great Depression is that the U.S. factories produced more than what could be consumed. Too much money went into profits and expansions, and not to the workers (Divine et. al, 2013, p. 844). …show more content…

He blamed it on foreign causes and unstable European banks. He rejected proposals and relied solely on voluntary cooperation within the businesses. He called charities and local governments to feed the poor. At his request, Congress cut taxes to restore public confidence and build projects such as the Hoover Dam. He refused measures of direct relief that would help millions of unemployed (Divine et. al, 2013 p. 847-848). In document 2, he stated, “The true growth of the Nation is the growth of character in its citizens. The spread of government destroys initiative and thus destroys character.” (Hoffman, Blum, & Gjerde, 2012, p. 231). Hoover’s efforts had clearly failed to overcome the depression. The final blow to his career was the banking crisis, and people were finally ready for someone else to help them (Divine et. al, 2013, p.

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