Research Paper

Nicole Golden
Section: 1
American Studies: Herbert Hoover
Research Paper

Although many people may argue that president Herbert Hoover was a bad president because he waited too long to respond to the major crisis, The Great Depression, I believe that Herbert Hoover served as an excellent president because he proved earlier that in the event of a major crisis that he could still rise to the occasion and resolve any matter.
For example, according to The American Presidents book, way before he was even considered as a presidential candidate, “he served as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and later was appointed as United States food administrator by President Woodrow Wilson, where he got several tourist and businessmen to contribute to a charitable cause benefitting starving Belgians and Frenchmen who were in desperate need of food, clothing, and etc. So in other words, if he hadn’t have acted at all then our economy would’ve been in far more turmoil then it is now thanks to President Hoover’s stride or attempts to fix the troubled economy, but let’s further examine Mr. Hoover.
Well, first off he was born August 10, 1874 in Iowa. He was also the second of three children and his parents were Quakers. However, at the age of nine, Hoover became an orphan. He grew up to become a successful mining engineer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Hoover) and businessmen.
The Great Depression started because the stock market in New York had crashed and wiped out many investors. Now here’s the interesting part, as I stated in my thesis, many people blame Hoover for the Great Depression but in fact he did try to help by resorting to other methods such as urging businesses to stay open and hire the unemployed, and providing them with food as well.(The American Presidents,pg.146)
But even with all off the many methods that President Hoover tried, the Depression got so bad that in reached Europe. So in 1931, he proposed a plan that allowed European nations to delay on payments for one year so that they would be able to address their economic problems and the U.S. could do the same.
According to the (Merriam- Webster Collegiate Encyclopedia) "President Hoover vetoed many bills to implement and fund public works projects." This is true, and it happened because President Hoover believed and had faith that the Great Depression would soon end, but as I stated previously, he still did try to help by urging businesses to hire people and to offer food to starving unemployed people when he realized that that wasn’t working, he decided to in 1932, allow relief through the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. This helped provide work for the unemployed by giving loans to banks, businesses, and money was given to the states for relief as well. (The American Presidents pg.146.)(Schiff, Peter"Can someone spare $10 Grand?")
The reason why this is so important isn’t just because we are now in somewhat of a depression, but because a lot of people really don’t understand Herbert Hoover’s actions and only saw one aspect of his decision and not the bigger picture. And how he constantly tried to help but always came back with failed attempts.
Another thing that Herbert Hoover did during the Great Depression was the Agricultural Marketing Act which helped farmers that suffered from low income. This was written right after he came into office.
So in conclusion, these are the many reasons and more that support my thesis on why Herbert Hoover was an excellent President even though he wasn’t re-elected, he showed great leadership qualities, he proved that he could rise to the occasion and step up to the plate to protect all the citizens in America.

Revised Thesis Statement

Even though, many people may argue that President Herbert Hoover was a bad president because he waited too long to respond to the major crisis, The Great Depression, I feel that Herbert Hoover served as an excellent president because he proved that in the event of a major crisis that he could still rise to the occasion and resolve any matter. For example, way before he was even considered as a presidential candidate, he served as the United States Secretary of Commerce where he got tourist and other businessmen to contribute to a charitable cause that started in the beginning of WW1 where he and other volunteers handed out food, clothing, and etc. to help the victims that lost everything and needed food. So in conclusion, if he hadn’t acted at all then our economy would’ve been in far more turmoil then it is in now thanks to President Hoover’s stride or attempts to fix the troubled economy.

Fifth Annotation

Schiff , Peter. "Brother Can You Spare $10 Grand?." The Market Oracle. Apr 11, 2008 - 01:37 PM. Market Oracle Ltd . 6 Nov 2008.

This site featured a picture that showed people who were unemployed and lined up outside of a coffee and donut shop

Fourth Annotation

KENNEDY, DAVID M.. "A Historian on the Lessons of the Depression." Time Magazine. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008. CNN. 4 Nov 2008 .


This article was a primary source that provided vivid information on the Great Depression and the causes of it as well as the connection to the other events that occurred during that time.

I believe that it will be extremely helpful because Time Magazine has been around for a long time and it has proven to be very trusting and it gave me a better understanding of the Great Depression.

Thesis Statement

Although, many people may argue that President Herbert Hoover was a bad president because he waited too long to respond to the major crisis, The Great Depression, I believe that Herbert Hoover served as an excellent president because he proved that in the event of a major crisis that he could still rise to the occasion and resolve any matter. Like for example, way before he was even considered as a presidential candidate, he served as the United States Secretary of Commerce where he got tourist and other businessmen to contribute to a charitable cause that started in the beginning of WW1 where he and other volunteers handed out food, clothing, and etc. to help the victims that lost everything and needed food. So in other words if he hadn’t acted at all then our economy would’ve been in far more turmoil then it is in now thanks to President Hoover’s stride or attempts to fix the troubled economy.

Third Annotation

"People & Events The Great Depression ." PBS. PBS. 21 Oct 2008 .

This site talked about the many different people who were affected by The Great Depression and the many people who lost their jobs because of it. Herbert Hoover was the main person who was blamed because he responded so late.

Second Annotation

"The Museum Exhibit Galleries GALLERY ONE: Years of Adventure." The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum. National Archives and Records Administration . 20 Oct 2008 .


This site was actually for the Herbert Hoover Library and Museum and included many things like the many exhibits they have there and it also provided pictures of the house that President Hoover grew up in that is located in Iowa. What is most interesting about the way the exhibits are set up is the fact that each is set up according to where he either made a difference or where he may have paid a visit while serving a term in office.

I believe that it would be very helpful because it not only includes primary sources but secondary sources as well and a list of useful links to help me.

Topic Selection Essay

The person that I chose to study for NHD is none other than our 31st president Mr. Herbert Hoover. I chose president Hoover because for many people, when they first think of him they think of the Great Depression and they immediately place the blaim on him, but I would like to uncover the cause of the major crisis and why the response was delayed.

This week, my partner and I found several sources of information on Herbert Hoover. For example, in the book "American Presidents" we found plenty of information on the Great Depression as well as the fact that President Hoover believed that the economy would get better over time. I wonder what else we`ll find this week!!!!

First Annotation

"Herbert Hoover." Wikipedia. 16 October 2008, at 16:20.. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.. 16/10/2008 .


This article was about what Hoover did even before he became president. For example, he was the United States Secretary of Commerce where he got tourist and other businessmen to contritube to a chartitable cause that started in the beginning of WW1 where he and other volunteers handed out food, clothing, and etc. to help the victims that lost everything and needed food.

It also goes on to say how he was a humanitarian and was later called Head of the American Food Administration where he worked 14 hours a day to help 9 million war victims and promoted government intervention. He was born August 10, 1874, and died October 20, 1964 at the age of 90. One thing that stuck out to me is the fact that after his term he was frowned upon because of the Great Depression.

Independent Service Hours

During the time that I did my Community Service I helped the kids do their homework, I assisted the adults with serving the students dinner, as well as sharing with them my experiences from when I was in elementary and middle school to help make make their experience easier. it was easy to complete ४०० and more hours because for one I started as soon as school and I worked at the Salvation Army in the Summer time , so it sort of just branched over.

May 14th- May 16th Reflection

At this meeting we talked about where we were going to put the garden and we went over what was done at the last meeting and we discussed. I thought it would be a great idea to put the garden in the center of the yard and that there should be a flower bed that is in the shape of a flag and have other flags around it .

Service Learning Reflection

At Friday’s meeting we basically just went over what was said at the last meeting. (which was very helpful because I missed the last one.) We also talked about voting about who we wanted to take on each role in the group. We also went over the goals that we set for ourselves at the first meet. at the next meeting I plan on participating as the role of the reporter.

AWWWW Elmo!!!!!!!!

Reflection Part 1

The topic that my partner Ashley, and I chose to do for NHD was the Fairmount Waterworks; The Progress towards clean water. The project type that we chose to do was a documentary.
For me NHD was definitely a learning experience that was really truly interesting. For one, I used to be the type of person who loved to work in groups, but now I have a totally new and different perspective of वहत it truly means when people say be careful what you wish for.

Should Huckleberry Finn be taught in School?

Dear Reader,
the following is an debate argument about Huckleberry Finn that first started off as a class essay and evolved into an argument that myself and another class mate of mine were debate in class. Hope you enjoy it and based on what you`ve read, pass your verdict।

-Nicole


Should Huckleberry Finn be taught in CHS?

Resolved: Huckleberry Finn should NOT be used or taught in CHS.

Value Premise: My value premise is Education defined as the result produced by instruction, training, or study; the knowledge and development resulting from an educational process; and an educator, who is defined as one to which is skilled in teaching; a student of the theory and practice of education; and an administrator in education who has the duty of instilling good morals and values in a being, which leads me to my value criterion.

Value Criterion: My value criterions are education, truth, and responsibility, because each of these things are important when feeding the hungry minds of adolescence.

Contentions- Too much Violence, Domestic abuse, and gang violence.
Yes, domestic violence does exist, but is the purpose of school to teach students how to read, write, and become articulate individuals of tomorrow, or victims or criminals because of this book’s influence?
If children can be influenced to commit murders, crimes, and suicide, from the influence of video games, movies, and magazines, why is it hard to believe that you’ll get the same result from books? Is it because it is literature? Literature can have the same effect as well.
Contention 2: The language in this book is unacceptable.
The cursing and the use of the term “nigger” throughout this book is not appropriate for that of the school environment. If in the School District of Philadelphia Student Code of conduct it prohibits the use of profound language and it is enforced within the school’s rule and policies, why is it that students should be able to read this type of material?
Contention 3: This book is too controversial: Causes too much tension between people. The following are reasons that this book is too controversial:
• The term “nigger’ used too much
• Slavery
• Gangs
• Abuse
• Drugs
• Disrespect of authority
• Profanity
As you can see the list goes on and these and more reason are why this book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should not be taught in CHS or schools period.