A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What significant event was marked during the lame duck months between November and March of Hoover's term?

1. Unemployment began to decrease

2. Hoover promised loans and tax cuts

3. New Deal programs were implemented

4. Congress passed the Smoot-Hawley Act

The correct answer is: Hoover promised loans and tax cuts

The lame duck period between November and March of Herbert Hoover's term (following the 1932 presidential election in which he lost to Franklin D. Roosevelt) was characterized by Hoover's continued efforts to address the economic crisis, which was at its peak during this time. This includes his promises to implement loans and tax cuts as part of a broader strategy to stimulate the economy and support businesses and individuals affected by the Great Depression. Hoover's administration focused on the idea that government intervention, while limited, could help stabilize the economy. The proposed loans were primarily aimed at financial institutions and businesses, hoping to encourage them to maintain operations and employment levels. Simultaneously, tax cuts were seen as a way to increase disposable income for individuals and businesses, thereby promoting spending and investment. While other events, such as the passing of the Smoot-Hawley Act, did occur during this timeframe and had their implications, they were not initiatives or promises made by Hoover in the same proactive context as his pledges regarding loans and tax cuts. New Deal programs, which would ultimately reshape American economic policy, began with FDR's accession to the presidency in March 1933 rather than during Hoover's lame duck period, marking a clear divide between Hoover's strategies and those