Herbert Hoover was nominated by the Republican party for president in 1928 after President Coolidge decided not to run for re-election. Hoover defeated Democrat Alfred Smith in a landslide victory, becoming the first Republican since the 1920 election to carry a state that had seceded. As the new president, Hoover aimed to help struggling farmers and wage earners through programs like the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1929, but his high tariff policies, like the Hawley-Smoot Tariff of 1930, ultimately harmed the economy.

2. THE TRIUMPH of HERBERT HOOVER, 1928
With Coolidge bowing out of the
1928 presidential
election, Republicans nominated
Secretary of Commerce, Herbert
Hoover. Still squabbling Democrats
nominated Alfred Smith – what
qualities made him unattractive to
many Americans?
Radio figured prominently in this campaign
for the first time, and it helped Hoover more
than Smith.

3. Hoover triumphed in a landslide and a huge Republican majority was returned to the House of
Representatives.

4. And Hoover was the first Republican candidate in 52 years, except for Harding’s victory
in Tennessee in 1920, to carry a state that had seceded – why the success in the South
for Hoover?

5. Hoover was an intriguing figure – describe
his personal & political background.

6. PRESIDENT HOOVER’S FIRST MOVES
Prosperity in the late ’20’s smiled broadly as
the Hoover years began.
Soaring stocks continued to defy the laws of
financial gravitation.
But two immense groups were not getting their
share of the riches: the unorganized wage
earners & especially the disorganized farmers.
Describe Hoover’s personal & political
philosophies.

7. Hoover did respond to the outcry of
the farmers with the Agricultural
Marketing Act (1929) – how was this
program designed to help farmers?
He also called Congress into special
session to bring about “limited”
changes in the tariff.
The result was the Hawley-Smoot
Tariff (1930) – what was the
significance of this tariff?