1920s Presidents
Harding, Coolidge and Hoover
In 1920, Americans elected Republican Warren
Harding who promised a “return to normalcy”
“America’s present need
is not heroics, but healing;
not nostrums, but normalcy;
not revolution, but
restoration”
—President Warren Harding
Quick Class Discussion:
What would a
“return to normalcy”
mean for America
after World War I?
In the 1920s, American foreign policy
“returned to normal” by embracing isolationism
The U.S. rejected
the Treaty of Versailles
and never joined the
League of Nations
Many citizens felt
the U.S. was “duped”
into joining WWI and
became committed
to neutrality
However, U.S. isolationism was selective
because the USA did play a role in world affairs
The U.S. hosted a naval
conference aimed to
reduce the military
strength of all nations
The USA loaned
European nations
billions of dollars to
help rebuild after WWI
Harding’s Scandals
• Did not understand all of the complexities of
the administration
• Cabinet consisted of personal friends—”The
Ohio Gang”
• Teapot Dome Scandal (1922):
– Gov’t (specifically the Navy) had oil reserves in WY
and CA
– A. Fall (friend & Secretary of Interior) took the oil
reserves, leased them to private companies, and
made $325,000 for himself
• Claimed the leases were made to help the US gov.
Teapot Dome, Wyoming
Coolidge as President
• Actions:
– Restored public confidence for the White House
– Reduced the tax burden for Americans
– Believed, “the chief business of the American people
is business.”
– Reluctant to enter foreign policy, but did sign the
Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928—
• Signed by U.S., the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy,
and Japan, etc.
• These countries were supposed to, “renounce war, as an
instrument of national policy in their relations with one
another.” Do you think it was successful?
What does this image
and quote reveal about
America in the 1920s?
“The chief business
of the American
people is business.”
—President
Calvin Coolidge, 1925
However, U.S. isolationism was selective
because the USA did play a role in world affairs
The USA joined other world
powers in a commitment
to world peace by signing
the Kellogg-Briand Pact
Member
nations
Hoover as President
• Actions:
–
–
–
–
–
Encouraged lawful reform and volunteerism
Tax reforms
Would not recognize territories gained by force
Doubled veterans’ hospital facilities
Building projects: Hoover (Boulder) Dam, San Francisco Bay
Bridge
• Problems:
– Stock Market Crash (October 1929)
– Presidency marks the beginning of the Great Depression (not
re-elected)
In the 1920s, Republican
presidents were elected
(Harding, Coolidge, Hoover)
who helped America
“return to normalcy” by
using pro-business policies
Republicans kept taxes
low so Americans could
spend their wages
Republican presidents kept
government interference
in business to a minimum
to allow private enterprise
to flourish