The Harding Presidency Politics of the Roaring Twenties The Harding Presidency

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 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