Fighting the Depression
Against Drastic Measures
"We are told by the opposition that we must have a change, that we must have a new deal. It is not the change...to which I object but the proposal to alter the whole foundations of our national life which have been built through generations of testing and struggle." -Herbert Hoover, speech at Madison Square Garden, October 31, 1932
For Drastic Measures
"I have recounted to you in other speeches, and it is a matter of general information, that for at least two years after the Crash, the only efforts made by the[Hoover administration] to cope with the distress of unemployment were to deny its existence."-Franklin D. Roosevelt, campaign address, October 13, 1932
Compare the statements.
I seen nothing in common with these two statements. What am I missing?
Both Hoover and Roosevelt are talking about the Great Depression that had devastated so many people, thrown them out of work, and hopeless.
Hoover didn't want change, and Roosevelt demanded change.
Thank you!
In order to compare the statements made by Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt, it's important to understand the historical context of the Great Depression in the United States and the differing approaches taken by these two individuals.
During the early years of the Great Depression, Herbert Hoover, who was the President at the time, favored a more cautious and conservative approach to address the economic crisis. He believed in limited government intervention and relied on the private sector and individual initiative to stimulate economic recovery. His statement reflects his resistance to changing the existing structure of the government and the belief that the foundations of national life had withstood the challenges of the past.
On the other hand, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who campaigned against Hoover in the 1932 presidential election, advocated for more drastic measures to combat the Depression. He criticized the Hoover administration for neglecting the severity of unemployment and argued for government intervention and reforms to address the hardships faced by the American people. His statement highlights the inaction he perceived in the face of rising unemployment and the need for a more proactive approach.
Overall, the two statements reflect opposing views on how to tackle the economic crisis. Hoover's statement emphasizes the importance of preserving the existing system, while Roosevelt's statement criticizes the lack of action and calls for substantial change.
To summarize, the key difference between the two statements lies in their contrasting approaches to dealing with the Depression: Hoover favored maintaining the status quo while Roosevelt advocated for drastic measures and government intervention.