Where should we place the blame?  Economists believe the Great Depression was caused by the weaknesses in the 1920s economy, but the person whose name will be forever linked to the depression is President Herbert Hoover.  Personally blaming him for the crisis, Americans started to call the shantytowns set up by unemployed people “Hoovervilles.”

 In order to prepare for this discussion forum: line height:

• Review and identify the relevant sections of Chapter 20 that address these topics and support your discussion.
• Read the linked essay DEBATING THE PAST:  CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION: Where Historians Disagree
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• Read America’s Great Depression:  www.amatecon.com/gd/gdcandc.htmlLinks to an external site.
• Read Digital History: Sections Why it Happened to President Hoover   http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/teachers/lesson_plans/pdfs/unit9.pdfLinks to an external site.

After you have completed your readings post your response to only ONE of the following questions.

1. Hoover’s presidency will be forever shadowed by the Great Depression.  Is it fair to blame Hoover’s actions or inaction for the Great Depression?
2. Should we compare Presidents Hoover and President Roosevelt’s attempts to deal with the depression?

In order to earn the full 100 points (100%) for this assignment, you must:

1. Directly and completely answer at least ONE question. Please make sure that you clearly indicate which question you have chosen to discuss. Clearly and accurately explain your answer based on factual information contained in the assigned readings. (80 points)
2. Students must respond to at least one fellow student’s posting explaining the reason(s) for their agreement or disagreement, with the arguments that have been presented, in order to get full credit for the discussion. (20 points)
3. When posting your response to a fellow student’s comment, please try whenever possible, to select the question that you did not address for your discussion.
4. Make sure that all statements are supported with facts from the reading selections.