Ch. 22 sec. 3 critical thinking #3

How did Hoover's belief in "rugged individualism" shape his policies during the Great Depression?

"Rugged individualism is the idea that people should succeed through their own efforts. They should take care of themselves and their families, rather than depend on the government to bail them out." (p. 685)

President Hoover's philosophy was to not provide any form of federal welfare or direct relief to the needy. During the Great Depression he did provide any help for the poor, instead, he called on local organizations to supply the poor with their needs. He did provide jobs during the Boulder Dam project. This belief only shaped his policies during the beginning of the Great Depression, towards the end he attempted to help the American people, but his efforts fell short.