If you’re looking for a quick answer to who was the president of the United States in 1933, it isn't actually a single name. That year was a messy, transitional pivot point in American history. For the first few months, Herbert Hoover was still clinging to the office, widely disliked and struggling to manage the Great Depression. Then, on March 4, Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) took the oath of office, launching one of the most intense periods of governance the country has ever seen.
It’s easy to forget that back then, the "lame duck" period lasted until March. Now, we move things along in January because of the 20th Amendment, but in 1933, the country was essentially adrift for months while the economy collapsed.
The awkward handoff from Hoover to Roosevelt
Imagine a country where the banks are literally locking their doors. People are standing in bread lines. Farmers are losing their land. That was the reality of early 1933. Herbert Hoover was still the man in charge, but he was a "dead man walking" politically. He’d lost the 1932 election in a landslide.
Roosevelt and Hoover actually shared a car ride to the inauguration. It was famously uncomfortable. Hoover was somber, feeling unappreciated for his efforts, while FDR was trying to maintain an air of upbeat confidence. They didn't talk much. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Hoover felt that Roosevelt’s refusal to cooperate during the transition made the bank crisis worse. Roosevelt, on the other hand, didn't want to be tied to Hoover's failing policies before he even had the chance to sit at the Resolute Desk.
Why 1933 was the most dangerous year in America
When FDR took over, the national mood was at rock bottom. Honestly, it's hard to overstate how close the U.S. came to a total systemic breakdown. By the time the presidency changed hands in 1933, nearly 25% of the workforce was unemployed.
Roosevelt didn't have the luxury of a slow start. He hit the ground running with the "Hundred Days." This wasn't some planned-out marketing term; it was a desperate, chaotic burst of legislative activity. He declared a "bank holiday" almost immediately. Basically, he shut down every bank in the country to stop people from pulling their money out in a panic. It worked, mostly because he used the radio to talk to people like a human being.
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The First Hundred Days: A blur of activity
In 1933, the government grew at a rate that would make modern bureaucrats dizzy. Roosevelt pushed through the Emergency Banking Act in a matter of hours. Think about that. Hours. Today, it takes months for Congress to agree on the color of the carpet.
He didn't stop there.
He created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This put young men to work in national parks and forests. They lived in camps, wore uniforms, and sent most of their paychecks home to their parents. It was a brilliant move to keep a generation of frustrated young men from starting a revolution. He also established the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to bring electricity to the South, which was still living in the 19th century in many ways.
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The end of Prohibition
Here’s a fun fact most people forget about 1933: it was the year America started drinking legally again. Roosevelt knew that the country was tired of the failed experiment of Prohibition. On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment was ratified.
People were literally dancing in the streets. Roosevelt famously said, "I think this would be a good time for a beer." It wasn't just about the partying, though. The government desperately needed the tax revenue from alcohol sales to fund all those New Deal programs he was spinning up. It was a pragmatic move hidden inside a social win.
The darker side of 1933: Executive Order 6102
While everyone loves the story of the CCC and the end of Prohibition, FDR did some controversial stuff too. In April 1933, he signed Executive Order 6102. This basically made it illegal for Americans to own a significant amount of gold.
The government required citizens to deliver their gold bullion and coins to the Federal Reserve in exchange for paper money. If you didn't? You could face a $10,000 fine or jail time. He did this to prevent hoarding and to devalue the dollar so that exports would be cheaper, but it was a massive reach of federal power that still makes libertarians' skin crawl today. It was a desperate move for a desperate time.
Assessing the Hoover legacy
Poor Herbert Hoover. History hasn't been kind to him, but in 1933, he was doing what he thought was right. He wasn't a "do-nothing" president; he actually did more than any president before him to intervene in the economy. He just didn't go far enough for the scale of the disaster. He was a brilliant engineer and a humanitarian, but he lacked the "radio voice" and the charisma that Roosevelt used to soothe a terrified nation.
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By the time he left office in March, he was exhausted and bitter. He truly believed Roosevelt's "New Deal" was a march toward socialism that would ruin the country. For the next 30 years, Hoover would write books and give speeches warning about the dangers of big government.
What you should take away from 1933
The year 1933 changed the relationship between the average person and the federal government forever. Before this, you might never interact with a federal agency in your entire life. After 1933, the government was your employer, your bank insurer, and the reason you had electricity.
If you’re studying this era or just curious about the history, pay attention to the shift in tone. Hoover spoke in terms of "rugged individualism" and voluntary cooperation. Roosevelt spoke in terms of "bold, persistent experimentation." He was okay with failing, as long as he was doing something.
Actionable Insights for History Buffs
- Visit a CCC site: Many of our national parks, like the Great Smoky Mountains or the Grand Canyon, have trails and stone structures built by the men FDR hired in 1933. Look for the "CCC" stamps on old masonry.
- Listen to the first Fireside Chat: You can find the audio online. It’s a masterclass in communication. Note how he explains the banking system so a fifth-grader could understand it without sounding condescending.
- Check your change: While the 1933 Double Eagle gold coin is a multi-million dollar rarity (because of the gold ban), looking at the coins and stamps from that year gives you a glimpse into a country trying to rebuild its identity.
- Research the 20th Amendment: If you ever wonder why we now inaugurate presidents in January instead of March, it’s because of the "Lame Duck" disaster of 1933. Congress finally realized that leaving a country leaderless for four months during a crisis was a recipe for catastrophe.
The transition from Hoover to Roosevelt wasn't just a change in personnel. It was a change in the American philosophy of power. Whether you think FDR was a hero who saved capitalism or a radical who overstepped his bounds, 1933 is the year that defines the modern United States.
To dig deeper into this era, look up the works of historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., specifically The Age of Roosevelt. He provides a deep, though somewhat sympathetic, look at how the chaos of 1933 shaped the world we live in now. You might also check out Hoover's own memoirs to see the perspective of the man who had to hand over the keys while the house was on fire.