AP Success - AP US History: Herbert Hoover on Rugged Individualism

Republican politicans in the 1920s were against federal government intervention in the economy.

Source 1

During [World War I] we necessarily turned to the government to solve every difficult economic problem…To a large degree, we regimented our whole people temporarily into a socialistic state. However justified in war time, if continued in peace-time it would destroy not only our American system but with it our progress and freedom as well.

When the war closed, the most vital of issues both in our own country and around the world was whether government should continue their wartime ownership and operation of many [instruments] of production and distribution. We were challenged with a...choice between the American system of rugged individualism and a European philosophy of diametrically opposed doctrines, doctrines of paternalism and state socialism. The acceptance of these ideas would have meant the destruction of self-government through centralization...[and] the undermining of the individual initiative and enterprise through which our people have grown to unparalleled greatness.

Herbert Hoover’s “Rugged Individualism” Campaign Speech, 1928.

Question 1

Short answer

Briefly describe ONE perspective about the American character described in the excerpt.

Question 2

Short answer

Briefly explain ONE historical development from 1900 to 1928 that influenced the opinions described in the excerpt.

Question 3

Short answer

Briefly compare ONE way the ideas expressed in the excerpt were challenged by the Great Depression.

Teach with AI superpowers

Why teachers love Class Companion

Import assignments to get started in no time.

Create your own rubric to customize the AI feedback to your liking.

Overrule the AI feedback if a student disputes.

Other U.S. History Assignments

10/4: Foreign Policy in the Early Republic 10/4: Foreign Policy in the Early Republic 11.1 Colonial Foundations 11.2 CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS (1763 – 1824)11.2 Reliability - Declaration of Independence 11.2 Reliability - Declaration of Independence 11.3 Reliability - Monroe Doctrine 1 - 4.6 (a) Market Revolution: Society and Culture 1 - 4.6 (b) Market Revolution: Society and Culture 1 - 4.8 (a) Jackson and Federal Power 1 - 4.8 (b) Jackson and Federal Power 1 - 4.8 (c) Jackson and Federal Power 14th & 15th Amendments 1865-1877 1920s and 30s Short Answer Practice 1920s: Cultural and Political Controversies 1920s Cultural Developments 1920s DBQ 1920s SAQ 1950s conformity 19th c. African American Experience DBQ 19th Century Immigration and Economic Growth in the United States 19th Century Industrialists: Captains of Industry or Robber Barons 2000 DBQ: Organized Labor's Success in Improving Workers' Position (1875-1900)2006 AP United States History Free-Response Questions 20s, 30's WWII- Essay 1 2.2 - Puritan Settlement of Massachusetts Bay 2.3 Comparing the British Colonial Regions 2.3 European Colonization - Map SAQ 2.3 Geography of British Colonial Regions 2 - 4.6 (a) Market Revolution: Society and Culture 2 - 4.6 (b) Market Revolution: Society and Culture 2 - 4.6 (c) Market Revolution: Society and Culture 2 - 4.8 (a) Jackson and Federal Power 2 - 4.8 (b) Jackson and Federal Power 2 - 4.8 (c) Jackson and Federal Power 2.5 - British and French Interactions with Native Americans 2.5 Gary Nash - Red, White, and Black Excerpt 2nd Dilemma--Advice to President Adams: Response to Tribute Demands 3.10- American Foreign Policy (1789-1800)3.2 The Seven Years' War - Territorial Changes 3.6 - Historians on women and the American Revolution 3.6 - Historians on women and the American Revolution 3.6- Interpretations of the American Revolution 3.7(a) Articles of Confederation 3.7(b) Articles of Confederation 3.7 Understanding the Articles of Confederation 3.7 Understanding the Articles of Confederation - Option C 3.8 Articles to Consitution 3.8- Founding Fathers' Leadership and the Ratification of the Constitution 3.8 - Historians on the U.S. Constitution