Herbert Hoover

31st President of the United States

Years in Office: 1929-1933

Party: Republican

Did you know?

President Herbert Hoover and his wife, Lou Henry Hoover, had a playful tradition of giving out toy alligators to children who visited the White House, sparking a trend that continues today with the distribution of White House-themed souvenirs to young visitors.

Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, served from 1929 to 1933. Born on August 10, 1874, in West Branch, Iowa, Hoover was a successful mining engineer and humanitarian before entering politics. He held prominent roles during World War I, coordinating humanitarian efforts and food distribution in Europe. However, Hoover's presidency is most associated with the onset of the Great Depression.

Elected in 1928, Hoover faced economic collapse just months into his term. The stock market crash of 1929 marked the beginning of the Depression, and Hoover struggled to address the unprecedented economic challenges. His initial response involved relying on voluntary cooperation from businesses and local governments, but as the crisis deepened, Hoover faced criticism for his perceived inaction and reluctance to intervene more forcefully.

Despite Hoover's efforts, the economic downturn persisted, and he became increasingly unpopular. The shantytowns that emerged during his presidency were mockingly called "Hoovervilles." In the 1932 election, Hoover lost to Franklin D. Roosevelt in a landslide, marking the end of his presidency. Herbert Hoover's legacy is often overshadowed by the economic hardships of the Great Depression and the perception that his policies were insufficient to address the crisis.