Herbert Hoover Presidency Overview

How did Herbert Hoover’s presidency impact the United States during and after his time in office?

This lesson and activity explore the early life, education, background, presidency, and legacy of President Herbert Hoover. Students will examine Hoover’s beliefs, policies, leadership style, and key events such as the start of the Great Depression, the Bonus Army protest, and the construction of the Hoover Dam. They will analyze primary source documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. To show their understanding, students will respond to a final summary question applying what they’ve learned about Hoover’s impact on the American government, economy, and public trust during a time of national crisis.

Included in this resource:

Do Now - Herbert Hoover’s inaugural address primary source analysis and questions
Herbert Hoover document pass/station activity with corresponding scaffolding questions
Document 1: Early Background before the Presidency
Document 2: Election of 1928
Document 3: The Great Depression Begins
Document 4: Hoover’s Response to the Depression
Document 5: Public Criticism and “Hoovervilles”
Document 6: The Bonus Army Incident
Document 7: Election of 1932 and Legacy
Document 8: After the Presidency
Spotlight On: Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover POV and scaffolding questions
Create a legacy brochure of Herbert Hoover with rubric
Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did President Hoover’s response to the Great Depression impact the way Americans viewed the role of government?
Answer key for teachers (suggested)
★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you!

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