Was President Hoover a progressive?

Stupid question, I know, but a guy on Facebook claimed he was and that his “progressive” policies made the Depression worse. What would be really great would be if someone could direct me to a good, not totally dry source that would analyze such a claim. A quick Google search didn’t turn up anything satisfactory for me.

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QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M

Hoover came after the Progressive era, which roughly spanned 1890s - 1920s, and included republican and Democrat presidents like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.

Hoover was not really a progressive, and his major responses to the Great Depression involved austerity measures and trying to keep the government out of any direct relief efforts.

He was closer to a “small government” type than a progressive, who believed welfare was evil, and put together a cabinet of wealthy conservatives.

Not necessarily a bad president, but somewhat ineffectual, and unable to cope with the circumstances he found himself in. Maybe in another era, he would have left a better legacy.

JP1119 · 36-40, M

@QuixoticSoul How was he “not necessarily a bad president”? Sounds pretty bad to me.

QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M

@JP1119 We've had presidents that oversaw genocides, ethnic cleanings, and got us into needless wars. Hoover was a well-intentioned conservative at the wrong time, who wanted the best for the country, but couldn't see past his philosophies. He wasn't a successful president, but when I think of bad presidents, others come to mind.