Herbert Hoover (1874–1964,) fully Herbert Clark Hoover, was an American Republican political leader who 31st president of the U.S. 1929–33. As president, he was faced with the long-term problems of the Depression. He held office during the onset of the Great Depression.
Born in West Branch, Iowa, Hoover trained in mining engineering at Stanford University. He worked in this field in the U.S., Australia, and China and founded his own successful mining firm in 1908. He led the Commission for Relief in Belgium, served as the U.S. Food Administration director, and served as the third U.S. Secretary of Commerce. His leadership made him a popular public figure and heralded his political career.
The Great Depression, beginning with the stock market crash in October 1929, overshadowed President Hoover’s administration. He demanded private relief rather than large-scale government programs. His popularity plummeted, and the shantytowns that sprang up around the country were called Hoovervilles after him.
Franklin D Roosevelt defeated Hoover in 1932. He retired to private life until World War II, when he organized civilian relief operations in Europe. He later headed the Hoover Commissions (1947–49, 1953–55,) which studied the executive branch of government and suggested many administrative and policy reforms later adopted.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Herbert Hoover
All men are equal before fish.
—Herbert Hoover
Topics: Equality
The priceless treasure of boyhood is his endless enthusiasm, his high store of idealism, his affections and his hopes. When we preserve these, we have made men. We have made citizens and we have made Americans.
—Herbert Hoover
The glory of the nation rests in the character of her men. And character comes from boyhood. Thus every boy is a challenge to his elders. It is for them that we must win the war-it is for them that we must make a just and lasting peace. For the world of tomorrow, about which all of us are dreaming and planning, will be carried forward by the boys of today.
—Herbert Hoover
Topics: Children
We have not yet reached the goal but.. we shall soon, with the help of God, be in sight of the day when poverty shall be banished from this nation.
—Herbert Hoover
Topics: Poverty
In the great mass of our people there are plenty individuals of intelligence from among whom leadership can be recruited.
—Herbert Hoover
Topics: Intelligence, Leaders, Leadership
Children are our most valuable natural resource.
—Herbert Hoover
Topics: Children
When I decided to go into politics I weighted the costs. I would get criticism. But I went ahead. So when virulent criticism came I wasn’t surprised. I was better able to handle it.
—Herbert Hoover
Topics: Realistic Expectations, Acceptance
Along this road of spending, the government either takes over, which is Socialism, or dictates institutional and economic life, which is Fascism.
—Herbert Hoover
Topics: Government
A splendid storehouse of integrity and freedom has been bequeathed to us by our forefathers. In this day of confusion, of peril to liberty, our high duty is to see that this storehouse is not robbed of its contents.
—Herbert Hoover
Topics: Freedom
Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die.
—Herbert Hoover
Topics: Youth
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