Childhood
Herbert Clark Hoover was born August 10, 1874 in West Branch, Iowa. He was raised by his parents, Jessie and Huldah Hoover. Herbert lost his father when he was just six years old from a heart attack and then his mother at age nine from pneumonia. When this occurred, young Hoover, sister Mary, and brother Theodore moved to Ohio to live with their uncle.
Before Presidency
Hoover attended Leland Stanford Junior University and graduated in 1895 with a degree in geology. He then went to work in Nevada City, California and worked as a laborer. His career grew when offered engineering jobs in China, Australia, and other places over the world. Hoover's financial stability blossomed from here with his many work involvements through his 30's and 40's.
Herbert married his wife, Lou Henry Hoover, after dating in Stanford. Together, they traveled the world including their long stay in China where the two were hard at work. They both pursued their careers; Herbert with his engineering and Lou as a nurse.
From 1921 to 1928, Hoover served as the Secretary of Commerce. In an Administration that was noted for its inaction, Hoover was a surprisingly activist Secretary of Treasury. He expanded the Bureau of Standards, and increased the data collected by the Census Bureau. He authorized the Bureau of Fisheries to improve the stock of the nation's fisheries. Hoover undertook the regulation of the nations airwaves, and established the Aeronautics Board to encourage the development of commercial aviation. He was a major supporter of the construction of what was later known as the Hoover Dam, and supported the St. Lawrence Seaway.
During Presidency
In 1928, Hoover won the presidential election against Democrat, Al Smith. Hoover, who had been a great American success story until his Presidency, was elected on his promise of continued prosperity for America. Unfortunately, almost immediately upon his arrival in office, Hoover was faced with the stock market crash that begat the Great Depression. The crash soon resulted in large-scale bank failures which, in turn, resulted in business collapse on a scale unprecedented in history. Before long, there were 13 million unemployed Americans. Hoover was torn between two conflicting instincts, and two opposing sets of advice. On the one hand, his individualist tendencies, and his belief in the business system, tended to make him opposed to large-scale government relief. On the other hand, his genuine compassion for those in trouble made him want to do something to relieve the mass poverty. Finally, and to little avail, he picked a middle road that included limited loans and other forms of assistance. The country slid deeper into a depression.
Herbert Clark Hoover was born August 10, 1874 in West Branch, Iowa. He was raised by his parents, Jessie and Huldah Hoover. Herbert lost his father when he was just six years old from a heart attack and then his mother at age nine from pneumonia. When this occurred, young Hoover, sister Mary, and brother Theodore moved to Ohio to live with their uncle.
Before Presidency
Hoover attended Leland Stanford Junior University and graduated in 1895 with a degree in geology. He then went to work in Nevada City, California and worked as a laborer. His career grew when offered engineering jobs in China, Australia, and other places over the world. Hoover's financial stability blossomed from here with his many work involvements through his 30's and 40's.
Herbert married his wife, Lou Henry Hoover, after dating in Stanford. Together, they traveled the world including their long stay in China where the two were hard at work. They both pursued their careers; Herbert with his engineering and Lou as a nurse.
From 1921 to 1928, Hoover served as the Secretary of Commerce. In an Administration that was noted for its inaction, Hoover was a surprisingly activist Secretary of Treasury. He expanded the Bureau of Standards, and increased the data collected by the Census Bureau. He authorized the Bureau of Fisheries to improve the stock of the nation's fisheries. Hoover undertook the regulation of the nations airwaves, and established the Aeronautics Board to encourage the development of commercial aviation. He was a major supporter of the construction of what was later known as the Hoover Dam, and supported the St. Lawrence Seaway.
During Presidency
In 1928, Hoover won the presidential election against Democrat, Al Smith. Hoover, who had been a great American success story until his Presidency, was elected on his promise of continued prosperity for America. Unfortunately, almost immediately upon his arrival in office, Hoover was faced with the stock market crash that begat the Great Depression. The crash soon resulted in large-scale bank failures which, in turn, resulted in business collapse on a scale unprecedented in history. Before long, there were 13 million unemployed Americans. Hoover was torn between two conflicting instincts, and two opposing sets of advice. On the one hand, his individualist tendencies, and his belief in the business system, tended to make him opposed to large-scale government relief. On the other hand, his genuine compassion for those in trouble made him want to do something to relieve the mass poverty. Finally, and to little avail, he picked a middle road that included limited loans and other forms of assistance. The country slid deeper into a depression.
- Republican
- President from 1929-1933
- Father: Jesse Clarke Hoover
Mother: Huldah Minthorn
Wife: Lou Henry
Sons: Herbert Jr., Alan - Stock Market Crash
- The Great Depression
Quotes from Hoover:
"My Countrymen: This occasion is not alone the administration of the most sacred oath which can be assumed by an American citizen." ~Inaugural Address
"Blessed are the young for they shall inherit the national debt"
"It is just as important that business keep out as that government keep out of business"
"In America today, we are nearer a final triumph over poverty than is any other land"
"Words without actions are the assassins of idealism.”
"Children are our most valuable resource.”
His Philosophy:
Hoover believed very strongly in the idea that American citizens should be left to deal with their financial issues and the government should not get involved. He felt that government should not play a role in the country's economy and all the pressure should be held on the everyday citizens. Two systems Hoover put into action were the Laissez Faire and rugged individualism.
The Laissez Faire was the belief that government should not interfere or intervene in the nation's economy and businesses should be left alone.
Rugged individualism is the idea that people should succeed through their own efforts and that they should take care of themselves and their families, rather than depend on the government to bail them out.
Even during an economic crisis as terrible as The Great Depression, Hoover did not want to stir away from his ways. He kept these beliefs when America had to undergo this disaster.
"My Countrymen: This occasion is not alone the administration of the most sacred oath which can be assumed by an American citizen." ~Inaugural Address
"Blessed are the young for they shall inherit the national debt"
"It is just as important that business keep out as that government keep out of business"
"In America today, we are nearer a final triumph over poverty than is any other land"
"Words without actions are the assassins of idealism.”
"Children are our most valuable resource.”
His Philosophy:
Hoover believed very strongly in the idea that American citizens should be left to deal with their financial issues and the government should not get involved. He felt that government should not play a role in the country's economy and all the pressure should be held on the everyday citizens. Two systems Hoover put into action were the Laissez Faire and rugged individualism.
The Laissez Faire was the belief that government should not interfere or intervene in the nation's economy and businesses should be left alone.
Rugged individualism is the idea that people should succeed through their own efforts and that they should take care of themselves and their families, rather than depend on the government to bail them out.
Even during an economic crisis as terrible as The Great Depression, Hoover did not want to stir away from his ways. He kept these beliefs when America had to undergo this disaster.