Hoover, Herbert (Administration)

The Republican administration of Herbert Hoover lasted from 1929 through 1933. In civilian life, Hoover had become wealthy as a mining engineer and had been an active philanthropist. As president, he donated his salary to charity. Before his election to the presidency, Hoover had been secretary of commerce under Presidents Harding and Coolidge. Prior to this, he had been active in government service during World War I, when he had administered Belgian war relief efforts and had served as head of the U.S. Food Administration. He also organized efforts to relieve the Russian famine and to administer aid after the devastating 1927 Mississippi Delta flood. Hoover’s background in engineering and business affected his beliefs about the government’s appropriate role in solving social and economic problems. ...