State Historical Society of Iowa

Letter from Herbert Hoover Reviewing Commission for Relief in Belgium Progress, June 15, 1915

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, Letter from Herbert Hoover Reviewing Commission for Relief in Belgium Progress, June 15, 1915

Description

This is a letter from Herbert Hoover to Émile Francqui, who was a Belgian soldier, diplomat, businessman and philanthropist. In the letter Hoover reviewed the success of the relief efforts of the Commission For Relief in Belgium, which he directed, during Germany's occupation of Belgium in World War I.

Transcript of American Red Cross Letter to Herbert Hoover

Source Dependent Questions

  • What was the overall purpose of this letter?
  • What textual evidence supports Hoover's claim that the Commission had been successful in its first seven months?
  • Why was it important that the Commission, and the committees supporting the Commission, collected more than just money? What else would the people of Belgium need during this time of crisis?
  • Consider the enormity of the challenge Hoover faced as leader of the Commission for Relief in Belgium. What skills would he have needed to meet it? Infer three skills that contributed to Hoover's success and cite the textual evidence that led you to identifying them.
  • What evidence from this letter can be used to explain the global impact Herbert Hoover made as the leader of the Commission for Relief in Belgium?

Citation Information

Hoover, Herbert, "Herbert Hoover to Mr. E. Francqui," 15 June 1915. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress

State Historical Society of Iowa

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