How did President Hoover's belief in American individualism influence his response to the Great Depression? Responses He increased tax rates to try and bolster the health of the economy through government spending. He increased tax rates to try and bolster the health of the economy through government spending. He believed every man was for himself and should seek higher wages through education. He believed every man was for himself and should seek higher wages through education. He opposed laissez faire economics and asked for state governments to provide unemployment benefits to those who need it. He opposed laissez faire economics and asked for state governments to provide unemployment benefits to those who need it. He encouraged businesses to retain workers and encouraged individuals to buckle down and keep working hard