The Republican Party chose Hoover to run for president in 1928. He easily defeated the Democratic candidate, Alfred E. Smith. When Hoover took office, the economy was strong. In October 1929, however, the stock market crashed, and the worst depression in U.S. history began.
Hoover quickly asked companies not to fire workers or cut wages. But many people had already lost their jobs. Hoover approved a program that lent government money to states, banks, and companies. Hoover refused to give money directly to citizens, though. As the Great Depression worsened, the public began to blame the president.