politics 1920-45

Harding term

1920-23

Harding quotes on business

‘less government in business, more business in government’

Harding’s election slogan

‘a return to normalcy’

Fordney McCumber tariff (HARDING)

1922 - raised tariffs, typical of Republican protectionism

Harding economic success

following the post-war recession 1920-21, there were years of prosperity and higher living standards

wide support for Harding’s pro-business policies and the able appointment of Andrew Mellon

Budget and Accounting Act (HARDING)

1921 - introduced important budget reforms, requiring the budget to be submitted to congress

Sheppard Tower Maternity Act (HARDING)

1921- provided federal aid to states, encouraging them to build infant and maternity health centres - suggests that Harding was somewhat social-reform minded

Dyer Anti Lynching Bill (HARDING)

1922 - Harding supported an anti-lynching law in congress to support A-As

Harding’s damaged image

rumours of extra-marital affairs, corruption among his inner circle - who regularly ignore prohibition laws

• the ‘Ohio gang’ powerful Republican circle, like Mckinley, Mark Hanna used political office to enrich themselves

Teapot dome scandal (HARDING)

1922 - Teapot dome, a mountain in Wyoming near federal oil reserves

• accusations that the gov was leasing federal oil for bribes, causing outrage (truth only came out in 1933)

• damaged Republican image - assistant attorney general committed suicide over the scandal in 1923

Harding dies of heart failure

1923 - dies, Presidency transfers to his VP Coolidge

the Mellon plan

Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon’s orthodox economic plan of low government intervention - contrasts the rise of Keynesianism in Britain at the same time - differing post-war responses

• followed by Republican presidents in this period

Coolidge term

1923-1929

Coolidge image

dry and dull, but seen as respectable and quietly efficient - known for breaking up the 1919 Boston Police strokes, symbolising law and order

• restored image of respectability following Harding’s scandals

‘Silent Cal’

Coolidge criticised by contemporaries and historians for low work rate - he slept a lot and did very little, earning this nickname

(although some believed he suffered from depression following the death of his son in 1924)

Revenue Act (COOLIDGE)

1924 - big cuts in income tax, typical Republican policy to stimulate spending

Easy election victory in 1924

Republicans/Coolidge easily win the 1924 election, helped by economic growth, pro business policies and the divide in the Democrat party

coolidge quote on business

‘the business of America is business’

‘feel good factor’ Coolidge

his presidency coincided with the feel-good factor of the prolonged economic boom of the 1920s

failures of Coolidge

criticised for his low work rate, determined to do less than his predecessor believing in small gov

to some he had a superiority complex, acknowledging that the usa had problems but doing little to address them