Herbert Hoover vs Karl Renner

Hoover, a Republican, won the 1928 presidential election in a landslide against Democrat Al Smith. Hoover's reputation as a successful businessman and humanitarian, particularly for his relief work in Europe during and after World War I, contributed to his victory.

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 occurred in October, marking the beginning of the Great Depression. Hoover's response, including calls for voluntary cooperation and limited federal intervention, was widely criticized as inadequate, and the depression deepened.

Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, which raised tariffs on thousands of imported goods to record levels. The tariff sparked retaliatory measures from other countries, contributing to a collapse in international trade and worsening the Great Depression.

On October 30, 1918, Renner was elected as the first chancellor of the newly proclaimed Republic of German-Austria. He led the provisional government that succeeded the Habsburg monarchy after World War I, overseeing the transition from empire to republic.

As chancellor, Renner signed the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye on September 10, 1919. The treaty formally ended World War I for Austria, forced the dissolution of the union with Germany, and imposed territorial losses and reparations on the new republic.

On April 29, 1945, Renner was elected as the first president of the re-established Republic of Austria after World War II. He formed a provisional government with Soviet approval, laying the foundation for Austria's post-war independence and democratic reconstruction.