1. The Politics of Prosperity

2. I. Corruption under Harding 1. Appointment of personal friends a. “Ohio Gang” -bribes “Teapot Dome Scandal” -sold “preserved” land -made deals with bootleggers Elk Hills and Buena Vista Hills in Cal, and Teapot Dome in Wyoming, were oil fields located on public land reserved for emergency use by the U.S. Navy only when the regular oil supplies diminished. Many politicians and private oil interests had opposed the restrictions placed on the oil fields, claiming the reserves were unnecessary and the American oil companies could provide for the Navy.

3. II. Keeping Cool With Coolidge 1. “Hands-off” style a. “Silent Cal” 2. Aid to business a. Tax cuts b. Encouraged competition -lower prices for consumers

4. III. Election of 1928 1. Coolidge declined to run 2. Herbert Hoover won a. Defeated Alfred E. Smith -1 st Catholic candidate to run for president

5. IV. Economic Boom 1. Post-WWI a. Europe destroyed b. “Big Brother U.S.A.” c. Auto Industry -boosted other industries -oil, steel etc… d. Advertising industry -appealed to employed Americans

6. Questions 1.What were the policies of the Republican Presidents during the 1920’s? 2.What factors caused prosperity during this decade?