THE HARDING PRESIDENCY
Politics of the Roaring Twenties
Objectives Contrast Harding’s policy of “normalcy”
with progressive era reforms.
Identify scandals that plagued the Harding administration.
Do Now How do you feel after getting back from
vacation?
Are you glad to get back to a routine?
Warren G. Harding Assumed the
presidency in 1921
He promised a return to normalcy—the simpler days before the progressive era and the Great War
Harding Struggles for Peace Washington Naval
Conference (1921) President Harding
invites Great Britain, France, Japan and Italy to the conference
Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes urged the naval powers to disarm—no more war ships would be built for 10 years
Harding Struggles for Peace Kellogg Briand Pact
(1928) Rejected war as a
national policy 15 countries signed
the pact President Coolidge for
the US signs the pact; however, the pact provided no means of enforcement
High Tariffs and Reparations Fordney-McCumber
Tariff Raised taxes on U.S.
imports to 60 %
Made it impossible for Britain and France to repay war debts
High Tariffs and Reparations Dawes Plan
American banker, Charles Dawes negotiated a loan to Germany to pay back Britain and France
Britain and France then paid the US money it was owed
This solution caused resentment towards the US
Scandal Hits Harding’s Administration Ohio Gang
The President’s poker playing buddies that were corrupt and caused embarrassment for the president
They were members of his cabinet
Scandal Plagues Harding Charles R. Forbes
Head of the veterans bureau was caught illegally selling hospital supplies to private companies
Legacy of Harding He was a good natured man, but his
friends were the problem.
He died of a heart attack August 2, 1923
Scandal Hit Harding’s Admin Teapot Dome Scandal
Government set aside oil rich public fields for the Navy in Wyoming and Elk Hills, California
Albert B. Fall, secretary of the interior leased the fields to oil companies and receive over 400,000 dollars from an oil company
?Event Effects How would these events
apply today?
1. Washington Naval Conference
No war ships built for 10 years; disarmament
Could we have another conference to discuss disarmament; should we be concerned with who controls nuclear technology?
2. Kellogg-Briand Pact Rejected war as a national policy; 15 countries signed the pact
Could this Pact be applied today? How would Calvin Coolidge respond to terror networks like Al-Queda
3. Fordney-McCumber Tariff Raised taxes on imports to the highest level
How would raised tariffs affect the U.S. economy today? Should President Obama raise tariffs to protect American manufacturers.
4. Dawes Plan Loans to Germany to repay reparations
5. Quota Act Limited the amount of people that could come into the US
Would a quota act today solve our immigration concerns; is there a concern with who is allowed in this country?
6. Teapot Dome Scandal Government corruption; Can you think of other examples of government corruption in our History?
Watergate
2000 Election
Nelson Accused of Selling Vote on Health Bill for Nebraska Pay-Off
Halliburton