The 1920s: Republican Control

Republican Control Through the 1920s: Three Republican presidents Congress was solidly Republican A decade where U.S. businesses boomed, while farmers and unions struggled Death of Teddy Roosevelt in 1919 coupled with disillusionment over the war led to a return of old-guard (conservative) Republicans to power Argued limited govt. regulation was an aid to stabilizing business Regulatory commissions created during the Progressive era were now led by people who were more sympathetic to big business than the public

The Election of 1920 Democrat- Ohio Gov. James Cox Urged for the U.S. to join the League of Nations Republican- Ohio Sen. Warren G. Harding Unclear about where he stood on every issue Republican national convention deadlocked in 1920 Party bosses “in a smoke-filled room” gave the nomination to Harding “A return to normalcy” Idealism/activism that characterized the pre-war Progressive Era was over

Harding’s Presidency Harding recognized his limitations as a leader and made up for them by appointing able men to his cabinet: Secretary of State- Supreme Court justice Charles Evans Hughes Secretary of Commerce- former mining engineer and Food Administration leader Herbert Hoover Secretary of Treasury- Pittsburgh industrialist/millionaire Andrew Mellon Chief Justice- former president William H. Taft As president, Harding did little more than sign into law measures adopted by Congress Lowered taxes, increased tariffs, created the Bureau of the Budget Bureau of the Budget followed procedures for govt. expenditures to be placed in a single budget for Congress to review and vote on

The Teapot Dome Scandal Harding’s presidency was marked by scandals and corruption Also appointed incompetent, dishonest men to fill cabinet positions Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall had accepted bribes from oil companies to drill on federal land near Teapot Dome, Wyoming Attorney General Harry M. Daugherty also accepted bribes not to prosecute certain suspects in the scandal Harding died suddenly while traveling in August 1923, months before these scandals were uncovered He was never implicated in any of the scandals

The Election of 1924 Calvin Coolidge was Harding’s vice president and successor when he died in 1923 Nicknamed “Silent Cal” “If you don’t say anything, you won’t be called on to repeat it.” “When more and more people are thrown out of work, unemployment results.” “The business of America is business.” Overwhelming choice for Republican nomination in 1924 after serving a year in office after Harding’s death Coolidge won the election easily Democrats broke off and formed a new Progressive party, which did surprisingly well in the 1924 election

Calvin Coolidge’s Presidency Coolidge believed in a limited govt. Little was accomplished during his time in office Cut spending to the bone Even vetoed Republican acts for spending Would not allow bonuses for WWI veterans Vetoed a bill to help farmers as crop prices fell

The Election of 1928 Coolidge declined to run for a second term Republicans nominate Herbert Hoover Served previous three presidents in administrative roles Republicans boasted of “Coolidge Prosperity,” which Hoover promised to continue Hoover ironically suggested poverty would soon be ended altogether Hoover won in a landslide

? Why did many old-guard (conservative) Republicans return to power in the 1920s? How did Harding make up for his limitations as a leader? What happened during the Teapot Dome scandal? How could you characterize Calvin Coolidge’s presidency? Who won the election in 1928? What did he promise or suggest would happen?