edHelper.com
The Great Depression
(1929-1945)

Leaders in Crisis - Herbert C. Hoover

Leaders in Crisis - Herbert C. Hoover
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 7 to 9
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   6.19

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    poorhouse, solver, steadfastly, surcharge, sector, uncaring, induce, humanitarian, dilemma, policies, margin, legacy, triumph, better, boost, mortgage
     content words:    Herbert Hoover, World War, On October, President Hoover, But Hoover, Smoot-Hawley Tariff, In February, Reconstruction Finance Corporation, Construction Act, Federal Home Loan Bank Act

Print Leaders in Crisis - Herbert C. Hoover
edHelper.com subscriber options:
     Print Leaders in Crisis - Herbert C. Hoover  (font options, pick words for additional puzzles, and more)
     Quickly print reading comprehension
     Print a proofreading activity

Feedback on Leaders in Crisis - Herbert C. Hoover
     Leave your feedback on Leaders in Crisis - Herbert C. Hoover  (use this link if you found an error in the story)

Leaders in Crisis - Herbert C. Hoover
By Toni Lee Robinson 		  
1     In 1928, Herbert Hoover was one of the most respected men in America. Left an orphan at age six, Hoover had been raised by a Quaker uncle. He worked hard at school and in his uncle's business. In fact, Hoover paid for his education by working three jobs. Afterward, he built a successful career as a mining engineer.
 
2     During World War I, Hoover headed a massive program to feed the hungry in Europe. He had laid aside his career to take the job and accepted no pay for his work. Later, Hoover became U.S. Secretary of Commerce. He was known as a problem solver and humanitarian.
 
3     Hoover was nominated for President in 1928. The 1920s had brought good times to America. Everyone expected life to get better and better. Hoover's speech summed up the mood of the nation. "We in America... are nearer to...triumph over poverty than ever before... The poorhouse is vanishing from among us," Hoover said.
 
4     This accomplished man of principle seemed the natural choice as leader of the country. He was elected by a large margin. Hoover took office in March of 1929. Then, disaster struck. On October 29, the stock market crashed. The U.S. economy lurched to a halt.

Paragraphs 5 to 12:
For the complete story with questions: click here for printable
Copyright © 2008 edHelper