1. How did consumerism affect the meaning of American freedom in the 1920s? During the first quarter of the 20th century, American industry skyrocketed. Production and consumption was at an all-time high, and “…Americans spent more and more of their income on leisure activities” (Foner 762) such as vacations and going to the movies. However, as Andre Siegfried has observed, a “new society” was forming in the United States due to the increase in mass consumption. Consumerism had led to a set standard of living in the United States, and citizens considered it a “…sacred acquisition, which they will defend at any price” (Foner 762). Americans were now fully willing to go into debt in the name of consumerism, as long as they acquired the products
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Shortly after the onset of the Great Depression, Andrew Mellon convinced Hoover that “…economic downturns were a normal part of capitalism” (Foner 793) and hardships would weed out weaker businesses while strengthening the virtues of the poor. In 1931, President Hoover reinforced his opposition to intervention by stating “The Government should not support the people…Federal aid…weakens the sturdiness of our national character” (Foner 793). In addition to this, Hoover strongly believed that businesses should work on maintaining prices and wages so involvement from the government would not be necessary. Overall, the principles that guided Hoover’s response to the Great Depression were his belief that the Depression would resolve itself and was only natural, government intervention would only weaken our nation, and that businesses were responsible for maintaining investment and employment. However, these principles greatly restricted Hoover’s ability to help the American people because he strongly opposed government intervention. Hoover signed legislation into action providing financial help to businesses, but “…opposed offering direct relief to the unemployed” (Foner 794) and viewed doing so as a “disservice” to the American people. Hoover chose not to help the American people as a result of his belief that the Depression was a natural occurrence in economies and that it would fix itself—that and the fact that he did not view it as his responsibility. During the Great Depression, Hoover was not able to assist the American people because he didn’t consider it his obligation, nor did he believe there was a need to do
Shortly after the onset of the Great Depression, Andrew Mellon convinced Hoover that “…economic downturns were a normal part of capitalism” (Foner 793) and hardships would weed out weaker businesses while strengthening the virtues of the poor. In 1931, President Hoover reinforced his opposition to intervention by stating “The Government should not support the people…Federal aid…weakens the sturdiness of our national character” (Foner 793). In addition to this, Hoover strongly believed that businesses should work on maintaining prices and wages so involvement from the government would not be necessary. Overall, the principles that guided Hoover’s response to the Great Depression were his belief that the Depression would resolve itself and was only natural, government intervention would only weaken our nation, and that businesses were responsible for maintaining investment and employment. However, these principles greatly restricted Hoover’s ability to help the American people because he strongly opposed government intervention. Hoover signed legislation into action providing financial help to businesses, but “…opposed offering direct relief to the unemployed” (Foner 794) and viewed doing so as a “disservice” to the American people. Hoover chose not to help the American people as a result of his belief that the Depression was a natural occurrence in economies and that it would fix itself—that and the fact that he did not view it as his responsibility. During the Great Depression, Hoover was not able to assist the American people because he didn’t consider it his obligation, nor did he believe there was a need to do