The Hoover administration's initial response to the Great Depression was largely characterized by a belief in individualism and limited government intervention. One example of this was the passage of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act in 1930, which raised tariffs on imported goods and was intended to protect American industries. However, instead of stimulating the economy, it led to a decrease in international trade and worsened the conditions of the Depression. Another example was Hoover's reliance on voluntary cooperation from businesses and charities to provide relief to those affected by the economic crisis, rather than implementing direct government aid programs. This approach proved inadequate as the scale of the crisis escalated.
