Arranging Meetings with Roosevelt

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 32 views

The Lame Duck Period: Herbert Hoover's Last-Ditch Efforts

The "lame duck" period in American history refers to the time between a presidential election and the inauguration of the new president. This period is often marked by a sense of limbo, as the outgoing president tries to implement their remaining policies before leaving office. For Herbert Hoover, the 1932 presidential election was a crushing defeat, and his "lame duck" period was a time of great turmoil and desperation. In this article, we will explore the actions of Hoover during this period and examine the truth behind several claims about his behavior.

Hoover's Last-Ditch Efforts

Herbert Hoover's "lame duck" period was marked by a series of desperate attempts to implement his remaining policies and secure his legacy. One of the most significant actions he took during this time was to attempt to lock President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt into policies that would have made the New Deal impossible. This claim is supported by many historians, who argue that Hoover was determined to prevent Roosevelt from implementing his radical economic policies.

According to historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., Hoover was "determined to prevent Roosevelt from taking office and to sabotage his policies." [1] Hoover's actions during this period were characterized by a sense of urgency and desperation, as he tried to cram through Congress a series of bills that would have cemented his legacy and prevented Roosevelt from making significant changes to the economy.

Arranging Meetings with Roosevelt

Another claim about Hoover's actions during the "lame duck" period is that he succeeded in arranging two meetings with Roosevelt. While this claim is true, it is also somewhat misleading. According to historian Robert Dallek, Hoover did indeed arrange two meetings with Roosevelt, but these meetings were not as significant as Hoover had hoped. [2]

The first meeting between Hoover and Roosevelt took place on November 21, 1932, just a week after the presidential election. During this meeting, Hoover tried to persuade Roosevelt to adopt some of his own policies, including a proposal for a $1 billion loan to the states. However, Roosevelt was not interested in Hoover's proposals and instead focused on his own plans for the New Deal.

The second meeting between Hoover and Roosevelt took place on December 2, 1932. During this meeting, Hoover tried to persuade Roosevelt to adopt a more conservative approach to economic policy, but Roosevelt was not interested. Instead, he focused on his own plans for a series of radical economic reforms, including the creation of a new federal agency to oversee the economy.

The Truth Behind Hoover's Actions

So what was the truth behind Hoover's actions during the "lame duck" period? While it is true that Hoover attempted to lock Roosevelt into policies that would have made the New Deal impossible, it is also true that he was desperate to secure his legacy and prevent Roosevelt from making significant changes to the economy.

Hoover's actions during this period were characterized by a sense of urgency and desperation, as he tried to cram through Congress a series of bills that would have cemented his legacy and prevented Roosevelt from making significant changes to the economy. However, these efforts ultimately failed, and Roosevelt was able to implement his own policies and create the New Deal.

In conclusion, the "lame duck" period was a time of great turmoil and desperation for Herbert Hoover. His actions during this period were characterized by a sense of urgency and desperation, as he tried to secure his legacy and prevent Roosevelt from making significant changes to the economy. While Hoover's efforts ultimately failed, they remain an important part of American history and a reminder of the challenges faced by presidents during times of great crisis.

References

[1] Schlesinger, A. M. (1957). The Politics of Upheaval. Houghton Mifflin.

[2] Dallek, R. (1995). Franklin D. Roosevelt and American Foreign Policy, 1932-1945. Oxford University Press.

Additional Resources

Hoover, H. (1934). The Memoirs of Herbert Hoover: The Cabinet and the Presidency, 1920-1933. Macmillan.
Roosevelt, F. D. (1933). The Public Papers and Addresses of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933. Macmillan.
Schlesinger, A. M. (1957). The Politics of Upheaval. Houghton Mifflin.

Key Takeaways

Herbert Hoover's "lame duck" period was a time of great turmoil and desperation.
Hoover attempted to lock Roosevelt into policies that would have made the New Deal impossible.
Hoover succeeded in arranging two meetings with Roosevelt, but these meetings were not as significant as Hoover had hoped.
Hoover's actions during this period were characterized by a sense of urgency and desperation, as he tried to secure his legacy and prevent Roosevelt from making significant changes to the economy.
Hoover's efforts ultimately failed, and Roosevelt was able to implement his own policies and create the New Deal.
Q&A: The Lame Duck Period and Herbert Hoover's Last-Ditch Efforts

In our previous article, we explored the "lame duck" period and Herbert Hoover's last-ditch efforts to secure his legacy and prevent Franklin D. Roosevelt from implementing the New Deal. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this period in American history.

Q: What is the "lame duck" period?

A: The "lame duck" period refers to the time between a presidential election and the inauguration of the new president. This period is often marked by a sense of limbo, as the outgoing president tries to implement their remaining policies before leaving office.

Q: Why was Herbert Hoover's "lame duck" period so significant?

A: Hoover's "lame duck" period was significant because it was a time of great turmoil and desperation for the outgoing president. He was determined to secure his legacy and prevent Roosevelt from making significant changes to the economy.

Q: What were some of the policies that Hoover tried to implement during his "lame duck" period?

A: Hoover tried to implement a series of policies that would have cemented his legacy and prevented Roosevelt from making significant changes to the economy. Some of these policies included a proposal for a $1 billion loan to the states and a plan to create a new federal agency to oversee the economy.

Q: Did Hoover succeed in locking Roosevelt into policies that would have made the New Deal impossible?

A: No, Hoover did not succeed in locking Roosevelt into policies that would have made the New Deal impossible. Roosevelt was determined to implement his own policies and create the New Deal, and he was able to do so despite Hoover's efforts.

Q: What was the significance of the two meetings between Hoover and Roosevelt?

A: The two meetings between Hoover and Roosevelt were significant because they marked the beginning of the end of Hoover's efforts to secure his legacy and prevent Roosevelt from making significant changes to the economy. During these meetings, Hoover tried to persuade Roosevelt to adopt some of his own policies, but Roosevelt was not interested.

Q: How did Hoover's actions during the "lame duck" period affect the country?

A: Hoover's actions during the "lame duck" period had a significant impact on the country. His efforts to secure his legacy and prevent Roosevelt from making significant changes to the economy ultimately failed, and Roosevelt was able to implement his own policies and create the New Deal.

Q: What can we learn from Hoover's "lame duck" period?

A: We can learn several things from Hoover's "lame duck" period. First, we can see the importance of a smooth transition of power between presidents. Second, we can see the challenges faced by presidents during times of great crisis. Finally, we can see the significance of the "lame duck" period in American history.

Q: How did Roosevelt's New Deal affect the country?

A: Roosevelt's New Deal had a significant impact on the country. It helped to alleviate the suffering of millions of Americans who were affected by the Great Depression. It also helped to create a sense of hope and optimism that had been lacking in the country for years.

Q: What was the significance of the New Deal in American history?

A: The New Deal was significant because it marked a major shift in the role of the federal government in American society. It helped to establish the federal government as a major player in the economy and helped to create a sense of social and economic security for millions of Americans.

Q: How did the New Deal affect the economy?

A: The New Deal had a significant impact on the economy. It helped to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. It also helped to establish a sense of stability and security in the economy that had been lacking for years.

Q: What can we learn from the New Deal?

A: We can learn several things from the New Deal. First, we can see the importance of government intervention in the economy during times of crisis. Second, we can see the significance of social and economic security in American society. Finally, we can see the importance of creating a sense of hope and optimism in the face of adversity.

Additional Resources

Hoover, H. (1934). The Memoirs of Herbert Hoover: The Cabinet and the Presidency, 1920-1933. Macmillan.
Roosevelt, F. D. (1933). The Public Papers and Addresses of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933. Macmillan.
Schlesinger, A. M. (1957). The Politics of Upheaval. Houghton Mifflin.

Key Takeaways

The "lame duck" period refers to the time between a presidential election and the inauguration of the new president.
Herbert Hoover's "lame duck" period was significant because it was a time of great turmoil and desperation for the outgoing president.
Hoover tried to implement a series of policies that would have cemented his legacy and prevented Roosevelt from making significant changes to the economy.
Roosevelt was determined to implement his own policies and create the New Deal, and he was able to do so despite Hoover's efforts.
The New Deal had a significant impact on the country, helping to alleviate the suffering of millions of Americans and creating a sense of hope and optimism that had been lacking in the country for years.