Herbert Hoover was president when the Depression started

His Philosophy: We’ll make it!– Opposed direct federal aid– Self-help & volunteerism– Self-help cooperatives

He Did Nothing

Farmers felt the effectsPrices of crops went down

Many farms foreclosedPeople could not afford luxuries

Factories shut downBusinesses closed

Banks could not pay out moneyPeople could not pay their taxesSchools shut down due to lack of funds

Many families became homeless and had to live in shanty towns called “Hoovervilles”

Immediate Effects

“Hoovervilles”

• Some families were forced to live in shanty towns– A grouping of shacks

and tents in vacant lots

• They were referred to as “Hoovervilles” because of President Hoover’s lack of help during the depression.

People in cities would wait in line for bread to bring to their family.

Many waited in unemployment lines hoping for a job.

Some families were forced to relocate because they had no money.

The Bonus Army/MarchThe Bonus Army/March• WWI veterans who were promised a

$ bonus in 1945, want it NOW (1932)• Gov’t denied their pensions• Marched on Washington, 1932

and “camp out” around White House• Hoover sends Army (Eisenhower,

MacArthur), used tear gas, machine guns, and burned the camp

• Deep anger at gov’t• Deep class divisions• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqevdBZCbcQ