Herbert Hoover and the American founding

The reopening of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in the summer of 2026 will coincide with the celebrations surrounding the semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The celebrations surrounding the 250th anniversary have already commenced, and as the nation reflects upon the principles of the American Founding, it should be remembered that President Herbert Hoover’s was a defender of constitutional principles.

Hoover’s philosophy was deeply shaped by American exceptionalism and by the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. “The Founding Fathers consecrated a new republic ‘under the protection of Divine Providence,’” stated Hoover in describing the Founding.

His belief in American exceptionalism was shaped by his life experience of not only growing up in the small Iowa village of West Branch, but also his successful mining engineer career that took him to several continents. It was this experience, which allowed Hoover to have direct experience with multiple forms of governments and economic systems. “I have seen the squalor of Asia, the frozen class barriers of Europe,” stated Hoover, and he noted, “my every frequent homecoming has been a reaffirmation of the glory of America.”

The American Founding itself had a profound impact on Hoover. Throughout his speeches, articles, and books, Hoover was constantly referring back to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. “The founders of our republic under Divine inspiration” established a “great political system,” which is “unique in the world,” noted Hoover in 1928.

He also praised the mechanics of the Constitution, which included federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and the protection of liberties through the Bill of Rights. Hoover described the Constitution as the “Ark of the Covenant” of liberty. Further, he described these principles as the “American system.” The “American system” was Hoover’s method of describing the Constitution and the principles of constitutionalism.

In the aftermath of World War I, and out of concern of the rising threat of various political ideologies that threatened American constitutionalism, Hoover published American Individualism.

Hoover argued that what made America exceptional was its political system based on ordered liberty and equality of opportunity. Equality of opportunity, was the spirit of America, which centered on the notion that anyone could advance based upon their own initiative. Hoover’s philosophy of equality of opportunity was influenced by the Declaration of Independence and Abraham Lincoln.

Equality of opportunity existed only because of American constitutionalism, which provided the necessary foundation for liberty and morality. America was exceptional not only because of economic liberty, but also its moral foundation rooted in Christianity and natural law.

In his response to the New Deal, Hoover was extremely critical of what he considered to be President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s undermining of the Constitution. In response he wrote The Challenge to Liberty, which was a defense of constitutional government. Sen. Robert A. Taft described Hoover’s book as expressing “so well the essential principles of American government.”

Hoover regarded that one of his greatest achievements was “defending constitutional government.” As he was preparing to leave office, Hoover remarked that one of the “fundamentals and safeguards” for the preservation of the “American system” must include a “rigid adherence to the Constitution.”

As President, Hoover was described as being “a determined spokesman for the traditional American virtues, hopes, and ideal of individual opportunity, personal freedom and love of country.”

Hoover argued that it would be detrimental for the nation if the American people lost familiarity or respect for the Constitution. “Familiarity with, and respect for, this greatest of all charters of government among our fellow citizens is essential to our national welfare,” wrote Hoover.

The semiquincentennial is an opportunity for the nation to not only remember Hoover’s forgotten legacy as a defender of constitutional principles, but also a chance for civic renewal.

John Hendrickson serves as Policy Director for Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation.