hoover was by nature an activist and attempted to do what he could to alleviate the widespread suffering caused by the depression, but his strict adherence to what he believed were republican principles precluded him from establishing relief directly from the federal government. the depression cost hoover the presidency with the 1932 landslide election of franklin d. roosevelt. roosevelt's new deal coalition controlled american politics for most of the next three decades, excepting the two-term presidency of republican dwight eisenhower. the democrats made major gains in the 1930 midterm elections, giving them congressional parity (though not control) for the first time since woodrow wilson's presidency.