THE WORST US PRESIDENTS

10 HERBERT HOOVER

PRESIDENTIAL TERM: 4 MARCH 1929 - 4 MARCH 1933

SUCCEEDED BY: FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT

Herbert Hoover had it in him to be one of the most fondly remembered US presidents. At the start World War I Hoover led relief efforts for tens of thousands of Americans caught up in the conflict. He also organised a large amount of aid for children across Europe. For these works he became known as ‘The Great Humanitarian’ at the time – now he is more likely to be known as the father of the Great Depression.

Mere months after taking office the stock market crash of 1929 occurred. Hoover believed that as long as business did not panic the market would recover. Business did panic. As a conservative he was doctrinally opposed to government intervention but when he did act it often worsened the Depression. The Tariff Act of 1930 cut US trade almost in half.

His perceived idleness angered voters. The shanty camps of the new homeless populations became known as ‘Hoovervilles’ and the newspapers used to wrap up against the cold were ‘Hoover Blankets.’ When the Bonus Army, thousands of ex-servicemen who marched on Washington calling for cash payment of bonuses, was dispersed by the army with the deaths of two protesters, Hoover appeared cold and uncaring.

IDLE DOCTRINAIRE, OUT OF TOUCH

9 ZACHARY TAYLOR

PRESIDENTIAL TERM: 4 MARCH 1849 - 9 JULY 1850

SUCCEEDED BY: MILLARD FILLMORE

Few people reach the heights of political office without wanting to be there,