Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt, Essay Example

Compare and contrast Herbert Hoover’s economic policies with those of Franklin Roosevelt.

Juxtaposition of Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt economic policies

Franklin Delano Roosevelt ran the office from 1933 to 1945 and was the 32^nd president of the U.S., while Herbert Clark Hoover, the 31^st president ran the office from 1929 to 1933.The issue here is to define in more certain terms the contributions to the economy made by each of the presidents by comparing and contrasting economic policies under the respective regime. Of utmost importance are solutions the offered to solve problems associated with the great depression.

The policies implemented by Roosevelt (FDR) were more prompt thus, they were more effective. On the other hand, in spite of Hoover’s policies being conservative, they were also implemented late enough to make them less effective. In addition, FDR’s institutions were better organized and readily addressed bank and unemployment problems[1].

These two presidents aimed at getting rid of the great depression. In politics, they were successful and there terms in office were during the depression. During their terms in office, there was considerable collective contribution that these two presidents made to the economy.

The U.S. economy was without many problems from the years 1917 to 1920. There was an upward growth that saw construction of so many factories. Wages were high and there was strong labor force due to increased employment. People became rich as a result of a successful stock market and increased export trade. All these developments came crumbling when the whole world was hit by depression which came as a result of crush in the stock market[2].

Lack of movement in the economy is called depression. Herbert Hoover’s policies accompanied with his absenteeism were mostly the cause of crash of the stock market. Roosevelt’s willingness to experiment helped solve the problem of depression.

[1] Bordo, Michael. “The Gold Standard, Bretton Woods, & Other Monetary Regimes: An Historical Appraisal.” NBER.

[2] Aronson, J., The Press and the Cold War. N Y: Monthly Review Press, 1970.