1. R ETURN TO N ORMALCY US History: Spiconardi

2. S TARTER Imagine you’re a soldier returning home from war. What are you going to do now that you’re home? How do you get back to “normal?” What might be difficult about being back on U.S. soil?

3. R ECESSION After the war ended, the U.S. economy entered a recession Recession  a downturn in the economy in which there is a rise in unemployment and production falls. Reasons Industrial output dropped, as factories no longer need to produce wartime supplies Unemployment jumps, as fewer workers are needed in the factories Returning soldiers can’t get jobs How do you get out of a recession?

4. R ETURN TO N ORMALCY Americans craved the pre-World War I days The Election of 1920 Presidential candidate, Warren Harding, promised a “return to normalcy.” Harding wins as Americans wanted to return to a policy of isolationism, and a booming economy Let’s us return to normalcy ( )

5. T HE H ARDING A DMINISTRATION Pro-business Lowered taxes on big business and the wealthy Reduce government regulation Republican Ideology Reduced the role of government Slashed the federal budget Progressive? Pardoned Eugene V. Debs (who had been jailed for opposing World War I) Supported anti-lynching legislation, but… Gave his friends and associates political jobs Fat Cat

6. T HE H ARDING A DMINISTRATION The Scandals The Teapot Dome Scandal Secretary of the Interior, Albert B. Fall, accepted bribes from two oil executives in exchange for “no-bid” leases on government owned oil reserves Secretary Fall was give a $100,000 interest free loan and gifts totally over $404,000. Government officials aren’t allowed such gifts What is this called? Come on, who remembers from our unit on Progressivism? Tammany Hall & Boss Tweed were guilty of this. Teapot Rock, WY

9. T HE H ARDING A DMINISTRATION Scandals Alien Property Custodian Established after WWI & WWII, this office within the government oversaw the administration, seizure, and sale of enemy (German) property within the US The head of the office sold German property and kept the profits for himself. Veteran’s Bureau Scandal The head of the Veteran’s Bureau sold hospital supplies for a fraction of their costs in exchange for kickbacks Also awarded contracts to build new veteran’s hospitals in exchange for kickbacks.

10. T HE H ARDING A DMINISTRATION No evidence that he ever knew of the scandals or profited from them “"I have no trouble with my enemies, but my damn friends, they're the ones that keep me walking the floor nights!“ President Harding died of a heart attack in 1923 Harding died a very popular president. He is one of two presidents to be survived by his father. Can you name the other?