1. Adjusting to Peace 1919- 1921 & The Presidents

2. Adjusting to Peace
Americans and veterans alike wanted to return to the traditional policy of Isolationism
The Government stopped its wartime spending
and soldiers were home and looking for jobs.

3. Adjusting to Peace
Most of the factories that were to produce military good reverted back into civilian job factories and many farmers lost their jobs in Europe
These factors led to a temporary economic recession in the U.S. from 1919 to 1921
Recession- A slowdown in economic activity, Investment spending household incomes and business profits fall, Bankruptcies and Unemployment are on the rise

4. The Presidents: Warren Harding Inauguration Address
Our eyes never will be blind to a developing menace, our ears never deaf to the call of civilization. We recognize the new order in the world, with the closer contacts which progress has wrought. We crave friendship and harbor no hate. But America can be a party to no permanent military alliance. It can enter into no political commitments, nor assume any economic obligations which will subject our decisions to any other than our own authority. It has been proved again and again that we cannot, while throwing our markets open to the world, maintain American standards of living and opportunity, and hold our industrial eminence in such unequal competition.

5. Warren G. Harding
Return to Normalcy was his campaign slogan.
Less focused on foreign policy and put a greater emphasis on peacetime production and prosperity at home.
Fought for greater African American rights in 1921 and supported an anti- lynching bill
Pursued arms reduction by sponsoring the Washington Naval Conference
Supported U.S. Membership in the World Court

6. Warren G. Harding: The Teapot Dome Scandal
One of President Harding’s Weaknesses was appointing friends as his personal cabinet A.K.A. The Ohio Gang
The Secretary of the Interior leased rich oil rich government lands at Teapot Dome, Wyoming to two business friends in exchange for personal bribes.
Additional scandals also emerged in different departments
Charles Forbes stole millions from construction of hospitals for returning war veterans
These scandals left a lasting stain on Harding's reputation as president

7. Calvin Coolidge 1923-1929 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUkBE-OCHIU
Gained national attention during the Boston Police Strike of believed there should be no strike against public safety
Became Harding’s Vice- President and then became president after Harding’s sudden death in 1923
Continued Harding’s pro Business polices and made the motto “the business of Americans is business”
Got the nickname Silent Cal for speaking infrequently
Some have accused Coolidge’s laissez- faire approach to the stock market crash of 1929

8. Herbert Hoover 1929-1933 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuRsKiruKAE
Skilled engineer and self made millionaire, he distributed relief aid to Belgian children and over saw the U.S. food production during the war
In his campaign he predicted that if he was elected then there would be an end to poverty
Believed in Rugged Individualism – American living standards were being raised at a rapid pace because of equal opportunities, free education, and a will to succeed
Hoover felt that too much government interference in business would undermine the nation’s prosperity by increasing corruption, smothering initiative and extinguishing opportunity, and dry up the spirit of liberty and progress