1920s Politics

1
1920s Politics

• Harding and Coolidge with a little Hoover at the
  end

2
Political Climate During War

• Wilson was a Democrat (political pause between
  Republicans)
• Anti-leftist sentiments following war
• Size and role of government
• Which party do you think is going to win the
  election of 1920?

3
Democrats Republicans

• White Southerners
• Immigrants in cities
• Where are the socialists?

• Northern farmers
• Businessmen/women
• Professionals
• Skilled workers

4
Warren G. Harding

• Republican who wins Election of 1920
• Blah, blah, blah, blah (generic)
• Appointments full of corruption
• Dies of heart attack in 1923
• VP Calvin Coolidge becomes President

5
Teapot Dome Scandal

• Uncovered by a 1924 Senate Investigation
• Secretary of Interior Albert Fall is jailed for
  leasing government oil reserves to 2 oilmen for
  big bribe.
• This is part of a culture of corruption that was
  widespread during Harding's administration.

6
Calvin Coolidge

• A manufactured politician
• Packaged by Bruce Barton (advertising exec)
• Very Pro-business
• Limited government involvement
• Flood of 1927
• Veto of McNary-Haugen Bill (purchase and overseas
  sales of surpluss crops)

7
Independent Internationalism

• Isolationism tendencies except when it best
  serves America's interests
• Promoted American Business Interests Abroad
• Attempts at peace
• 1921 Washington Naval Arms Conference (limits on
  warships between GB, J, US, I, F)
• 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact (outlaws war)

8
Women in Politics

• Women's movement loses focus- divergence in
  issues (child labor and prenatal care to feminist
  activism to labor unions to racism)
• Does equality help women or take away their
  protection?
• Feminism is seen as negative (communist) promote
  women as docile consumers

9
Probusiness Administration

• Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon
• Trickle-down economics
• Lower income taxes for wealthy
• Child labor laws overturned by supreme court