Question

How does Herbert Hoover’s definition of freedom (or “liberty”) differ from Franklin Roosevelt’s definition? Explain?

This is a history essay but couldn't find the subject in the expert q&a :(

Answer 1

Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt both served as presidents of the United States affiliated with different political parties. Hoover was a
Republican, Roosevelt a Democrat. Their views on the role government should play in people’s lives were different. Their definition of freedom or “liberty” was different.

In 1932, Herbert Hoover ran for re-election as president. Despite his strong beliefs in eliminating waste in government and society, and the importance of the role of individuals he didn’t win to serve a second term. In 1936, at the Republican National Convention, after Franklin Roosevelt had served his first term, Hoover publically re-iterated how wide the gap between the parties had come when he said the election was “a holy crusade for liberty.”

He concluded his four-year research on the New Deal stating the road the government was on was leading to the destruction of freedom. “We have seen these gigantic expenditures and this torrent of waste pile up a national debt which two generations cannot repay.” With ¼ of persons’ work day wages going to pay taxes he said, “...freedom to work for oneself is changed into a slavery of work for the follies of
government.”  

Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed freedom as a rally cry for his New Deal. He felt government had to become more involved in people’s lives. So many Americans were destitute, under-employed, and hurting greatly financially. They were demoralized and the government had to fix it. “demoralization caused by vast unemployment is our greatest extravagance.”

Roosevelt believed it was up to the government to break the cycle of despair the country had been in and put in place broad executive power. To him that was “…moving forward to greater freedom…for the average man than he has ever known before.”

Herbert Hoover defined freedom and “liberty” as less “big government” and more free enterprise and individualism. And Franklin Roosevelt viewed government involvement as “okay” if needed to preserve ones freedom or “liberty”.