Of course, the USA then would've sided with Hitler against Stalin.

As it was, the right had to wait until FDR was gone to get away with PAPERCLIP.

I envision a scenario where this nation would have undergone a revolution not unlike what occurred in Russia in 1917 or Germany in 1933. I credit FDR's administration with averting full-scale revolution due to policies and programs which the GOP has spent the last 30+ years attempting to dismantle.

the real culprit was the policies of Calvin Coolidge. For his time Hoover was almost a liberal republican in some ways. He actually did more than any other president before him did in a time of depression which presidents up to then considered cyclical and didn't put any resources of the federal government behind combating. Hoover did to a certain extent. Hoover's problem is that he didn't go far enough. FDR was willing to try everything and if one thing didn't work then try another.

As far as '32--given the depression it is highly unlikely any Democrat would have lost to Hoover.

Last edited Tue Sep 18, 2012, 08:49 PM - Edit history (1)

Ever wonder why Coolidge, who won widespread popularity by slashing taxes to near zero, opted not to run in 1928? He saw a crash coming. So he bailed unscathed and loved by many and let Hoover fall on the sword.

Hoover was long known as a strong administrator during WWI, when he coordinated relief efforts. So much that years later, Harry Truman called on a then-disgraced Hoover to help with Marshall Plan efforts. He was forever grateful to Truman for being one of the few people to have faith in him.

Hoover's problem, besides being stuck with a no-win situation, was being too constricted in Republican beliefs to think outside the box and do whatever it took to end the Depression. Thankfully, FDR did.

What would have happened if Hoover won in '32? Quite frankly, I could never imagine any scenario where he could have. Even the GOP had all but given up winning that year.

Most of us would be working for "company shops" and would be barely surviving.

This would effect the world, as American consumption starting after the second world war, and up to - maybe through - the Reagan era (imports) drove not only our economy but many other economies as well.

The developed world might not be recognizable, as we see it today, without the New Deal.