How did the US government respond to the Great Depression?

Answer 1

The Republicans under Hoover did not act forcefully to address the economic malaise, but when Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected, the Democrats tried many new and sometimes unconstitutional means to improve employment and restore confidence.

When Herbert Hoover came to power in 1929, he did not do anything to stop the Depression of 1929. He asked for some volunteer work from here and there but this did not do anything to stop it. When he was trying to deal with the consequences of the Wall street crash, he ordered for the employers not to fire their employees, and to not reduce wages. This did not reverse the crisis as the rise of unemployment rates increased and increased. 'In Hoover we trusted, now we are busted' was a common phrase that was used by people to describe the situation of the US. Shanty towns were being formed otherwise known as Hoovervilles, and poverty also increased as people could not pay back their loans, and they could not afford to pay for the land that was being provided. Children were left starving, and the poor were the most affected. People were withdrawing their money from failing banks and more and more businesses closed.

Franklin D. Roosevelt is credited by many historians with leading the US out of the Depression. He addressed the closings of banks, and established new government regulations. He established government programs to oversee and encourage industry and embarked on a massive program of public works (the WPA). His "new Deal" included the first program for Social Security.

Ultimately, the entrance of the US into World War II continued the process of massive federal spending, and almost everyone was put back to work: the men in the military and the women in the defense industries.

Answer 2

nothing