Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover was the 31st president of the United States. He served from 1929 to 1933. When the stock market crashed and people lost billions of dollars, it was just a few months after Hoover had been elected president. President Hoover tried to prevent panic and reassure American's that jobs and wages would stay intact. He also tried to coordinate state and local relief programs to increase employment.

Despite his best efforts, the situation in America grew worse. Banks began to fail and unemployment rose. Although President Hoover did not cause the Great Depression, many blamed him for it. People created names for things that showed their disgust for the president. Words, such as Hooverville (small shanty towns settled by the homeless), the Hoover blanket (old newspaper used as a blanket), Hoover leather (cardboard used to cover holes in the soles of shoes), and the Hoover flag (an inside out pocket), were created in reference to Hoover and the poor job people felt he was doing.