#1 What problem facing many Americans in the early 1930’s does

#1 What problem facing many Americans in the early 1930’s does this cartoon illustrate and what is the symbolic significance of the squirrel? NY World – 4/11/30

#2 What does this quote reveal about President Hoover’s initial philosophy regarding how to combat the economic crisis facing the nation? The resourcefulness of America when challenged has never failed. Success is not gained by leaning upon government to solve all the problems before us. That way leads to undermining of individual will and destruction of character. Victory over this depression and over our other difficulties will be won by the resolution of our people to fight their own battles in their own communities, by stimulating their ingenuity to solve their own problems, by taking new courage to be masters of their own destiny in the struggle of life. . . . (President Herbert Hoover -- Address by radio on Lincoln's Birthday - Feb. 12, 1931)

#3 Do these men seem to be following the advice of President Hoover from Document #2? Explain.

Magazine advertisement produced and distributed by the Hoover Administration – 1931. This advertisement was financed by the Hoover administration during the early stages of the Great Depression. Why might the two men in Document #3 resent the message of the ad? #4

#5 Why is the message of this 1931 cartoon not surprising?

#6 What change in Hoover’s economic policies does the picture & newspaper headline illustrate? Explain. Washington Post 9/22/31 New Federally funded Dam near Las Vegas, Nevada

#7 Cartoon relating to Hoover Administration programs including the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)* 10/20/32 Does the person who drew this cartoon support or oppose Hoover’s policies? Explain. * The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) was a government agency begun during the administration of Herbert Hoover in 1932. The agency gave 2 billion in aid to state and local governments and made loans to banks, railroads, and other businesses. The agency did not distribute “direct relief” to citizens in need.

The Bonus Army was a group of about 17,000 WWI veterans and their supporters who massed in Washington DC during the summer of 1933 as the Senate voted on a bill which would have moved forward the date when the veterans received a cash bonus. The protesters had hoped that they could convince Congress to make payments that would be granted to veterans immediately, which would have provided relief for the marchers who were unemployed due to the Depression. The bill was defeated, but some of the veterans stayed and continued to protest. President Hoover ordered federal troops to remove the marchers from the area and violence ensued. Many people got injured and two veterans were reported dead. Why was Hoover’s reaction to the “Bonus Army” not surprising? #8

#9 What do the cartoon & maps reveal about the presidential election in 1932? Was the result Hoover’s fault? Date of Election Hoover Roosevelt