1. Limited Government Intervention:
- Hoover believed that the government should play a limited role in the economy and that individuals and businesses should be responsible for their own success or failure. As a result, he initially resisted direct government intervention to address the economic crisis.
2. Self-Reliance and Voluntary Cooperation:
- Hoover encouraged individuals, communities, and businesses to rely on their own resources and cooperate voluntarily to overcome the challenges of the Depression. He believed that private charity and local efforts could provide sufficient relief without significant government involvement.
3. Public Works Programs:
- Although hesitant about direct government spending, Hoover did authorize some public works projects, such as the construction of dams and roads. These projects were intended to create jobs and stimulate the economy but were limited in scale and scope compared to later New Deal programs.
4. Business-Friendly Policies:
- Hoover implemented policies aimed at aiding businesses, such as tax cuts for corporations and tariffs to protect domestic industries. He believed that these measures would encourage economic recovery by boosting business activity and creating jobs.
5. Opposition to Direct Relief:
- Hoover initially opposed direct government relief to individuals and families, arguing that it would discourage self-reliance and create a dependency on government assistance. He preferred voluntary charitable efforts and private sector initiatives to address the needs of the unemployed and impoverished.
6. Emphasis on Local Solutions:
- Hoover believed that local communities were best equipped to understand and address their own economic problems. He encouraged states and municipalities to take the lead in providing assistance and relief to those in need.
7. Resistance to Federal Relief Programs:
- Hoover resisted calls for large-scale federal relief programs, arguing that they would increase the national debt and hinder economic recovery. He believed that government intervention should be minimal and focused on promoting economic growth rather than providing direct assistance to individuals.
Overall, Hoover's belief in rugged individualism influenced his policies during the Great Depression by emphasizing limited government intervention, self-reliance, and private sector solutions. While his approach differed from later New Deal policies that embraced more active government involvement, Hoover's adherence to rugged individualism shaped his response to the economic crisis.