Republicans
Control
Presidency
during the 1920s
1920, 1924, 1928 – presidential
elections all result in Republican
presidents.
President Harding, Vice President Coolidge, Hoover
(Sec of Commerce) and members of the cabinet
Harding Struggles with Peace
Harding promises “a return to
normalcy” which the public
favors.
–
–
Return to simpler days before the Progressive Era and
WWI.
First election for women voter
Harding – 29th
President
International Problems:
post-war problems
surface (arms control, war debts, rebuilding war-torn nations)
–
Hosts Washington Naval Conference in 1921; invites
major powers (G.B. France, Italy, Japan) not Russia
–
Secretary of State, Charles Evans Hughes, proposes
disarmament, others agree
1.
in 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact nations
renounce war as national policy and
64 nations agree to disarm and reduce military power.
Problem: no way to enforce
1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact nations
continue International Problems: (war
debts, high tariffs and reparations)
2. Fordney-McCumber
Tariff raises taxes on
U.S. imports to 60% protect US business
•
Britain, France cannot repay
U.S.
3. Dawes Plan — U.S.
investors lend $2.5
billion to Germany
•
Britain, France repay US;
resentment increases on all
sides
An anti-tariff America cartoon linking the tariff to
isolationism. The French man is saying: “But
Monsieur, where does it end’.
Scandal Hits Harding’s Administration
Harding’s Cabinet
• Harding favors limited
government role in
business, social reform
• “Ohio Gang” = Corruption
–
Corrupt friends use their positions to
become wealthy and cause embarrassment
– Teapot Dome scandal —
naval oil reserves used
for personal gain
• Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall leases
land to private companies
• Takes bribes; is first person convicted
of felony while in cabinet
•
August 2, 1923, Harding dies
suddenly
This cartoon depicts the "steamrolling" effect of the Teapot Dome oil
scandal of the Harding Administration in the 1920s.
"I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies in a fight. But my friends,
my g..d…. friends, they're the ones who keep me walking the floor at nights!"
- Quote from Harding on his cabinet of friends and the corruption that plagued it.
1923 – Calvin Coolidge
•
•
VP Calvin Coolidge assumes presidency
Saves the image of the Republican Party because
Americans see him as honest and trustworthy
• Economic policy – favors
minimal government
interference in business.
“The chief business of
America is business”
– believed government should encourage
business, but not regulate it.
• Wins 1924 election and
resigns in 1928.
1924 election
Herbert Hoover
“The poorhouse is vanishing among us.”
• 1928 election - won popular
support based on years of
prosperity under
Republican administration.
• Economic policy – favors
conservative approach
towards business.
The Presidents video (10 min)
31st
President
Left-Side
“The Business of America”
Directions: Using Ch. 12, sect 3 (pgs 422 – 427) [441-445], recreate the
chart below.
1. Describe how each item changed American life during the 1920s.
Minimum of 2 bullet points.
2. Identify the name of a related company or product that contributed
to the boom for each item.
Automobile
Airline Industry
•
•
• Company/product = _____________
Electrical Conveniences Modern Advertising
Producing Goods
Buying on Credit