1. The Harding Presidency
Politics of the Roaring Twenties
The Harding Presidency

2. Objectives
Contrast Harding’s policy of “normalcy” with progressive era reforms.
Identify scandals that plagued the Harding administration.

3. Do Now How do you feel after getting back from vacation?
Are you glad to get back to a routine?

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Scandal Plagues Harding
Charles R. Forbes
Head of the veterans bureau was caught illegally selling hospital supplies to private companies

11. Legacy of Harding
He was a good natured man, but his friends were the problem.
He died of a heart attack August 2, 1923

12. 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

13. ? 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?

14. Watergate

15. 2000 Election

16. Nelson Accused of Selling Vote on Health Bill for Nebraska Pay-Off

17. Halliburton