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Swiss American Historical Society Review

Swiss American Historical Society Review

Authors

Albert Winkler

Keywords

Switzerland, Swiss history, European history

Abstract

Two Presidents of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower and Herbert Hoover, are known to have Swiss ancestry. Eisenhower is noted for his generalship in the Second World War and his presidential administration in a time of prosperity for the nation, while Hoover is often remembered only for his unpopular presidency during the Great Depression . This is unfortunate because Hoover contributed to the well-being and survival of many millions of people during times of grave food shortages. His efforts, which began with the feeding of the nation of Belgium during World War I, prevented starvation in many areas of the world during and after both the First and Second World Wars. Far from being an embarrassment to the nation, Hoover the "Great Humanitarian" remains one of the most remarkable and generous of all Americans. This paper will address Belgian Relief, Hoover's first effort to feed millions of starving people.

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