History of Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, serves as one of the most intriguing figures in early 20th-century American politics. To understand Hoover the politician, it's essential to examine his life, career, and the socio-political context in which he rose to power.

Born in 1874 in West Branch, Iowa, Hoover became an orphan by the age of nine, an experience that forged a steely self-reliance in him. His early life set the stage for his resilient character, one that he displayed throughout his career. Hoover graduated with a degree in geology from Stanford University and embarked on a successful career as a mining engineer, which took him across the globe.

Before his presidency, Hoover established himself as a prominent public servant and humanitarian. During World War I, he was appointed head of the U.S. Food Administration under President Woodrow Wilson, where he gained national acclaim for his ability to manage food supplies and distribution both to American troops and to European allies. His efforts earned him the nickname "The Great Humanitarian."

Following the war, Hoover continued his public service as Secretary of Commerce under Presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge from 1921 to 1928. During his tenure, he modernized and expanded the Department of Commerce, promoting initiatives to foster efficiency and standardization in industries and improving navigation systems and infrastructure. Hoover became known for his progressive vision and was pivotal in promoting aviation and radio technology, which were burgeoning industries at the time. He advocated for what was termed "associationalism," urging cooperation among industries to smooth business cycles without direct government intervention.

In 1928, with Coolidge choosing not to seek reelection, Hoover became the Republican presidential candidate. He was seen as a logical successor, given his impressive track record as an administrator and businessman and his strong reputation within the Republican Party. His campaign was infused with themes of individualism and the promise of continued prosperity, buoyed by the economic boom known as the Roaring Twenties. Hoover won the presidency in a landslide, capturing over 58% of the popular vote against Democrat Alfred E. Smith.

His presidency, however, was soon overshadowed by the onset of the Great Depression, triggered by the stock market crash of 1929. Hoover's response to this unprecedented economic crisis was characterized by a steadfast belief in American individualism and his reluctance to involve the federal government directly in economic relief. He viewed the Depression as a temporary downturn in business cycles that could be mitigated through voluntary measures from businesses and local governments. Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, intending to protect American industries, but it ended up stifling international trade and exacerbating the economic downturn.

Despite his efforts to combat the Depression—such as creating the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to extend emergency loans to banks and businesses—Hoover's policies were widely criticized as insufficient. His perceived inaction and inability to effectively communicate a hopeful vision to the suffering American people significantly damaged his political reputation.

As the Depression worsened, so did public opinion of Hoover. His opposition to direct relief efforts and his handling of the Bonus Army March in 1932, when unemployed World War I veterans were forcibly removed from Washington D.C., further sullied his public image. By the time the 1932 presidential election approached, Hoover was seen as out of touch and incapable of reviving the American economy. Franklin D. Roosevelt, promising a "New Deal" for the American people, won a decisive victory.

After his presidency, Hoover's reputation slowly began to change. He became outspoken against Roosevelt's expansive federal programs, which he viewed as departures from American values of self-reliance and limited government. In the later years of his life, under Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower, Hoover was called upon to reorganize the executive branch of the government, helping to establish what became known as the Hoover Commission. These roles helped rehabilitate his image, allowing him to be recognized more for his earlier public service and humanitarian efforts rather than for the failures of his presidency.

Herbert Hoover, the politician, exemplifies a complex legacy marked by early success in public service overshadowed by the harsh realities of economic catastrophe. His belief in individualism and limited government intervention, once core strengths, became contentious points during the Depression. Nonetheless, his lifetime dedication to public service and his post-presidential efforts solidified his place in history, proving him to be a figure whose achievements and challenges provide valuable insights into the role of government and leadership in times of national crisis.