Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover

What was “Return to Normalcy”?

Harding’s campaign slogan; end of WWI and a reaction to progressivism; could mean whatever the voters want it to mean

What are the key points of Harding’s presidency?

high tariffs, recession, post war world, Teapot Dome Scandal

What was the Teapot Dome Scandal?

Illegal leasing of US oil reserves, including Teapot Dome, in exchange for bribes; involved Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall

What was Coolidge the first of?

The first quintessential conservative, republican president

Explain Coolidge’s radio/public relations.

Regular radio addresses; press conferences; continued relations with newspapers; photo ops (constant photos and first president to open up his private life)

What was Coolidge’s economic policy?

Low taxes, high tariffs; lower the highest tax rate at every level of society and continues Harding’s high tariffs

Explain Coolidge’s relationship with Congress.

Deferred to Congress; attitude that Congress is also voted in, if they want to do it great if not we move on; nicknamed “Silent Cal”

Where did Herbert Hoover serve before the presidency?

Served under Wilson as Food Administration, feeding American and Allied troops and helped alleviate hunger in post WWI Europe; Served as Secretary of Commerce under Coolidge

What was Hoover politically?

Theodore Roosevelt style Progressive Republican

Who won the 1928 election and how?

Hoover; view that Republicans had “returned the nation to normalcy” coming out of the prosperous 1920s; Nicknamed the “Great Engineer” because of his engineering degree

When did the Stock Market crash?

October 1929, Black Thursday; 25% unemployment and bank closures

What was the Smoot-Hawley Tariff and what were its consequences?

largest tariff in American history with tariffs on a huge number of goods at a flat fee, not based on percentage; Retaliatory tariffs placed on American goods by other nations; Hoover though it was a bad idea but refused to veto it; Did not cause the depression but exacerbated it

What was Hoover’s response to the depression?

No one agrees on how he should have responded, just that he didn’t respond well; Reconstruction Finance Corporation gives money to banks to bail them out; National Credit Corporation gives money to big companies; Emergency Relief and Construction Act; Voluntary associations