From Prosperity to Depression: From Prosperity to Depression:

Transcription

1 Topics of Discussion A. Role of the Federal Government B. Democrats: Divided C. Republicans: Pro-Business D. Warren Harding, E. Calvin Coolidge, F. Hoover Inherits a Troubled Economy G. Stock Market Crash H. The Great Depression Begins I. Herbert Hoover, J. Election of 1932 and FDR Normalcy in the 1920s Role of the Federal Government in 1920s 1. Limited Action 2. Funds to service the debt 3. Small army and navy 4. If the Federal Government should go out of business Political participation declined President Warren Harding playing horseshoes 1

2 Democrats Divided 1. Party of South 2. Urban North and Immigrants 3. Currency debate 4. Religion debate 5. Wets and Drys Republicans: Pro-Business 1. Teddy Roosevelt s Progressivism 2. Republicans of 1920 rejected TR 3. Conservative resurgence TR on the Campaign Trail 2

3 Warren Harding, Promised: Return to Normalcy 2. Laissez-faire domestic policy 3. Pro-business economic policy 4. Harry M. Daugherty 5. Fordney-McCumber Tariff 6. Teapot Dome Scandal Thomas Edison, Warren Harding, and Henry Ford Calvin Coolidge, Conservative 2. Business of America is Business 3. Frugal 4. Opposed waterpower plants too $$$ 5. Appointed opponent of FTC to chair FTC 6. Liked to nap 7. Silent Cal Calvin Coolidge 3

4 Hoover Inherits a Troubled Economy 1. Over production in factory and on farm 2. Unequal distribution of wealth 3. Left too few purchasers 4. Profits were invested in new production 5. Buying on Margin Production in Industry Stock Market Crash : Stock Prices Soar 2. September 1929: Fluctuation 3. John Kenneth Galbraith, The Great Crash 4. Oct 24, 1929 and Oct 25, Monday, October Black Tuesday 16.4 million shares 4

5 Stock Market Crash The Great Depression Begins 1. Stock prices continue decline Oct 29-Nov 13 > 30 billion lost 2. National Income in Billions 1929 > > > > Americans personal income 1929 > > 40 (million) 4. Unemployment: 3.2% to 24.9% 5. Bank failures: by March Business failures -- 26,355 by Farmers struggle -- Foreclosures Dust Bowl 5

6 The Great Depression Begins Percentage of Non-Farm Workers Unemployed Herbert Hoover, Before Depression: Agricultural Marketing Act (1929) a. created Federal Farm Board b. capital of 500 million c. promote agricultural cooperatives d. to stabilize markets for farm products e. voluntary agreements among producers f. stabilization corps > as last resort g. stabilization corps buy surplus 2. Still, Hoover a Rugged individualist : Doesn t support handouts from government 3 Approaches Depression as temporary downturn 4. Hawley-Smoot Tariff ( June 1930) 6

7 Herbert Hoover, Raises taxes > try to balance budget 6. Reconstruction Finance Corporation a. Loans to banks, railroads, life insurance b. RFC dispensed $1.5 billion in first year c. Over 500 institutions received funds d. Most money went to top companies e. Trickle Down 7. Hoover s Remaining Problems a. Unemployment by 1932 [K, 87] b. Pathetically inadequate relief [K, 88, 91] c. Veterans Relief Bonus Army July Sets stage for Election of 1932 Election of 1932 and FDR A. Republicans: Stay with Hoover B. Democrats: Franklin Roosevelt - Born: Hyde Park, New York in Private Tutors until age 14 - Groton School in Massachusetts - At 18, Roosevelt entered Harvard - Columbia University Law School , Married Eleanor Roosevelt, niece of TR , Elected to New York State Senate , Assistant Secretary of the Navy -1920, Ran for Vice-Presidency -1921, Polio , Governor of New York 7

8 Election of 1932 and FDR C. FDR Campaign of 1932 D. Election of 1932 Roosevelt ,821,857 Hoover 59 15,761,845 8