What was one of President Hoover's policies during the Great Depression that was criticized?

President Hoover's decision to maintain the United States' adherence to the gold standard during the Great Depression faced significant criticism. The gold standard limited the ability of the government to increase the money supply, which many economists believed was necessary to stimulate the economy and counteract the effects of the depression. Critics argued that in a time of economic crisis, such a rigid monetary policy restricted the government’s ability to respond effectively to declining prices and rising unemployment.

By tying the value of currency to gold, Hoover's administration was seen as lacking flexibility in monetary policy, which could have helped increase liquidity in the economy. This commitment to the gold standard was perceived by many as a failure to adapt to the unprecedented economic challenges of the era, further exacerbating the hardships faced by Americans. This criticism highlighted the need for a more active government role in economic recovery, a philosophy that would be more thoroughly embraced by his successor, Franklin D. Roosevelt.