How Did President Hoover Respond to Demands for Direct Payments to the Needy?
Why did President Hoover refuse demands for the federal government to provide direct payments to the unemployed and needy?
A) believed that this would destroy people's incentive to work
B) we had to help the needy in Africa and Central & South America first
C) people should help themselves first and then the government would help them
D) federal government couldn't afford to help people
Answer: C
Explanation:
President Hoover refused demands for direct payments to the unemployed and needy because he believed that people should help themselves first before the government stepped in to assist them. His approach was rooted in the idea of self-reliance and individual responsibility.
President Hoover's stance can be traced back to his background and beliefs in rugged individualism, a concept that emphasized the importance of personal responsibility and minimal government intervention in economic matters. He believed that providing direct payments would discourage individuals from seeking employment and hinder their motivation to work, ultimately leading to a dependency on government assistance.
Furthermore, Hoover's administration faced challenges during the Great Depression, including limited financial resources and the belief that direct payments would strain the federal government's budget even further. Instead of focusing on direct payments, Hoover favored voluntary efforts and local community support to address the needs of the unemployed and needy.
While Hoover's approach was criticized by some for being insufficient in providing immediate relief during the economic crisis, he remained committed to the belief that individuals should take the initiative to improve their own situations before turning to the government for assistance.