The 1920s (Politics) Study Guide

CPA US II – The 1920s (Politics) Study Notes

1. The Election of 1920

  • Parties:

    • Republicans:

    • Candidate for President: Warren Harding

    • Candidate for Vice President: Calvin Coolidge

    • Electoral Votes: 404

    • Popular Votes: 16 million

    • Democrats:

    • Candidate for President: James Cox

    • Candidate for Vice President: Franklin D. Roosevelt

    • Electoral Votes: 127

    • Popular Votes: 9 million

    • Socialist:

    • Candidate for President: Eugene V. Debs

    • Electoral Votes: 0

    • Popular Votes: 900,000

2. Isolation

  • Definition: Isolation refers to the policy of avoiding foreign alliances and international involvement.

  • Reason for Isolation: There was widespread disillusionment after World War I and discontent with the Treaty of Versailles.

  • Significant Event: First Red Scare

    • Key Figure: Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer

    • Example Case: Sacco and Vanzetti

3. Immigration Responses

  • Emergency Quota Act (1921):

    • Purpose: To limit the number of immigrants to 3% of the total number already residing in the United States.

    • Reason for Implementation: Fear of radicals and job competition was a major concern.

    • Census Used: 1910

    • Targeted Groups: Primarily Southern and Eastern Europeans.

    • Beneficiary Groups: Northern Europeans were favored in this act.

  • National Origins Act (1924):

    • Purpose: Cut down the annual limitation on the number of immigrants to 2% based on the Census of 1890.

    • Reason for Implementation: This was a response to growing stronger nativist sentiments.

    • Census Used: 1890

    • Targeted Groups: Southern and Eastern Europeans, as well as Japanese immigrants (who were specifically banned).

    • Beneficiary Groups: Northern Europeans continued to benefit from this legislation.

4. Nativism

  • Definition: Nativism is the policy of favoring native-born Americans over immigrants.

  • Reason for Nativism: This sentiment arose from fear of immigrants, perceived radical views, and cultural change brought by new arrivals.

  • Associated Group: Ku Klux Klan

  • Outcome: Although the Klan initially held considerable political influence, it ultimately collapsed due to internal corruption.

5. The Harding Administration

  • Problem: The administration faced significant issues of corruption and poor Cabinet choices.

  • Nickname for Cabinet: “Ohio Gang”

  • Key Corruption Cases:

    • Bad Guy: Albert Fall

    • Position: Secretary of the Interior

    • Scandal: Teapot Dome scandal

    • Outcome: Convicted and sent to jail.

    • Bad Guy: Charles Forbes

    • Position: Head of Veterans Bureau

    • Scandal: Embezzlement of funds

    • Outcome: Convicted and sent to jail.

    • Bad Guy: Harry Daugherty

    • Position: Attorney General

    • Scandal: Selling pardons and liquor permits

    • Outcome: Resigned from office.

  • Good Guys:

    • Herbert Hoover

    • Position: Secretary of Commerce

    • Achievements: Improved infrastructure and increased export growth.

    • Charles Evans Hughes

    • Position: Secretary of State

    • Achievements: Led the Washington Naval Treaty negotiations.

    • Andrew Mellon

    • Position: Secretary of Treasury

    • Achievements: Implemented tax cuts and favored pro-business policies.

6. Tariff Issues

  • Reason for Tariffs: The primary goal of tariffs was to protect American businesses.

  • Problem for Europe: European countries struggled to sell goods in the U.S. market and could not repay war debts due to tariffs blocking trade.

  • America’s Position: The U.S. desired to sell goods to other nations without a requirement to purchase from them in return.

7. Harding Dies

  • When: 1923

  • Where: San Francisco

  • Legacy: Harding was considered personally likable but had a poor track record in leadership.

  • Successor: Calvin Coolidge became the next President.

8. Coolidge

  • Origin: Massachusetts

  • Experience: Previously served as Vice President under Harding.

  • General Policy: Advocated for pro-business policies and a laissez-faire approach to governance.

  • Tragedy: The death of his son in 1924 impacted his personal and political life.

9. Election of 1924

  • Parties:

    • Republicans:

    • Candidate for President: Calvin Coolidge

    • Electoral Votes: 382

    • Popular Votes: 16 million

    • Democrats:

    • Candidate for President: John W. Davis

    • Electoral Votes: 136

    • Popular Votes: 8 million

    • Progressive:

    • Candidate for President: Robert La Follette

    • Electoral Votes: 13

    • Popular Votes: 5 million

10. Election of 1928

  • Parties:

    • Republicans:

    • Candidate for President: Herbert Hoover

    • Electoral Votes: 444

    • Popular Votes: 21 million

    • Democrats:

    • Candidate for President: Al Smith

    • Electoral Votes: 87

    • Popular Votes: 15 million