Hoover Dam

Definition

The Hoover Dam is a concrete arch-gravity dam located on the Colorado River, on the border between the U.S. states of Nevada and Arizona. It was one of the most significant engineering projects undertaken during the Great Depression as part of the New Deal's efforts to stimulate the economy and provide jobs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Hoover Dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936, employing over 21,000 workers during the height of the Great Depression.
2. The dam's primary purposes were to provide flood control, water storage, and hydroelectric power generation for the western United States.
3. The construction of the Hoover Dam was a major public works project that helped stimulate the economy and provide jobs during the Great Depression.
4. The dam's hydroelectric power was crucial in the electrification of the Southwest, supporting the growth of industries and communities in the region.
5. The Hoover Dam is considered an engineering marvel, standing 726 feet tall and containing enough concrete to pave a road from New York City to San Francisco.

Review Questions

• Explain how the construction of the Hoover Dam was a key part of the First New Deal's efforts to address the economic challenges of the Great Depression.
  • The Hoover Dam was a major public works project undertaken as part of the First New Deal's efforts to stimulate the economy and provide jobs during the Great Depression. The dam's construction employed over 21,000 workers at the height of the project, helping to put people back to work and inject much-needed economic activity into the region. Additionally, the dam's hydroelectric power generation supported the electrification and industrialization of the Southwest, further contributing to the economic development of the area. The Hoover Dam was a tangible example of the government's commitment to using large-scale infrastructure projects to address the widespread unemployment and economic stagnation of the Great Depression.
• Analyze the role of the Reclamation Act of 1902 and the Boulder Canyon Project in the development and construction of the Hoover Dam.
  • The Reclamation Act of 1902 was a crucial piece of legislation that authorized the federal government to undertake water reclamation projects, paving the way for the construction of the Hoover Dam and other major dams in the western United States. The Boulder Canyon Project, a federal initiative launched in the 1920s, specifically focused on controlling floods, providing irrigation, and generating hydroelectric power in the Colorado River basin. This project directly led to the construction of the Hoover Dam, which was a central component of the Boulder Canyon Project's goals. The Reclamation Act and the Boulder Canyon Project provided the legal and administrative framework that enabled the Hoover Dam to be conceived, planned, and ultimately built as a major New Deal public works project during the Great Depression.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Hoover Dam on the economic and social development of the southwestern United States.
  • The Hoover Dam has had a profound and lasting impact on the economic and social development of the southwestern United States. The dam's hydroelectric power was crucial in supporting the electrification and industrialization of the region, fueling the growth of businesses, communities, and population centers. The reliable water supply provided by the dam also enabled the expansion of agriculture and the development of new irrigation-dependent crops and industries. Additionally, the Hoover Dam's flood control capabilities helped protect communities and infrastructure from the devastating effects of periodic Colorado River floods. In the decades since its completion, the Hoover Dam has become an iconic symbol of American engineering prowess and a key driver of economic prosperity in the American Southwest. Its lasting impact on the region's development underscores the transformative potential of large-scale public works projects undertaken as part of the New Deal's efforts to address the challenges of the Great Depression.

Related terms

Boulder Canyon Project: The federal initiative that led to the construction of the Hoover Dam, aimed at controlling floods, providing irrigation, and generating hydroelectric power in the western United States.

Reclamation Act of 1902: The law that authorized the federal government to undertake water reclamation projects, paving the way for the construction of the Hoover Dam and other major dams.

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): A similar New Deal program that focused on regional economic development through the construction of dams and the provision of electricity, serving as a model for the Hoover Dam project.