1. Economic Conditions in 1932

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this module, we explore the economic conditions at the height of the depression in 1932. In particular, we'll focus on: (i) the political context of 1932 and Herbert Hoover's presidency; (ii) unemployment during the Great Depression and how this fuelled further economic devastation; (iii) the financial crises of the early 1930s, including the panics; (iv) Hoover's policy during the crisis, including his commitment to the Gold Standard; (v) the Bonus Army and how this exemplified Hoover's harsh depression policies; (vi) the domestic reaction to Douglas MacArthur's destruction of the Bonus Army.

Course

In this course, Professor Eric Rauchway (UC, Davis) discusses the New Deal. We start by looking at the economic conditions of the election year of 1932. After this, we compare and contrast the beliefs and motivations of the two candidates of the 1932 election - Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the penultimate module, we'll look at the passage of the early New Deal and describe what each act did. Finally, we'll look at the end of the New Deal and discuss the transformations and limitations of the legislative program.

Lecturer

Eric Rauchway is Distinguished Professor of History at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on the New Deal and the Second World War, and he has consulted for the U.S. Department of Justice and a major Hollywood studio. He has written a number of books including Why the New Deal Matters, which was published by Yale University Press in 2021.