RETURN TO NORMALCYUS History: Spiconardi
STARTER Imagine you’re a soldier returning home from
war. What are you going to do now that you’re home? How do you get back to “normal?” What might be difficult about being back on U.S. soil?
RECESSION After the war ended, the U.S. economy entered
a recession Recession a downturn in the economy in
which there is a rise in unemployment and production falls. Reasons
Industrial output dropped, as factories no longer need to produce wartime supplies
Unemployment jumps, as fewer workers are needed in the factories Returning soldiers can’t get jobs
How do you get out of a recession?
RETURN TO NORMALCY Americans craved the pre-World War I days The Election of 1920
Presidential candidate, Warren Harding, promised a “return to normalcy.”
Harding wins as Americans wanted to return to a policy of isolationism, and a booming economy
Let’s us return to normalcy ( )
THE HARDING ADMINISTRATION Pro-business
Lowered taxes on big business and the wealthy Reduce government regulation
Republican Ideology Reduced the role of government Slashed the federal budget
Progressive? Pardoned Eugene V. Debs (who had been jailed
for opposing World War I) Supported anti-lynching legislation, but… Gave his friends and associates political jobs
Fat Cat
THE HARDING ADMINISTRATION The Scandals
The Teapot Dome Scandal Secretary of the Interior, Albert B. Fall, accepted bribes
from two oil executives in exchange for “no-bid” leases on government owned oil reserves Secretary Fall was give a $100,000 interest free loan
and gifts totally over $404,000. Government officials aren’t allowed such gifts
What is this called? Come on, who remembers from our unit on Progressivism? Tammany Hall & Boss Tweed were guilty of this.
Teapot Rock, WY
THE HARDING ADMINISTRATION Scandals
Alien Property Custodian Established after WWI & WWII, this office within the
government oversaw the administration, seizure, and sale of enemy (German) property within the US
The head of the office sold German property and kept the profits for himself.
Veteran’s Bureau Scandal The head of the Veteran’s Bureau sold hospital
supplies for a fraction of their costs in exchange for kickbacks
Also awarded contracts to build new veteran’s hospitals in exchange for kickbacks.
THE HARDING ADMINISTRATION No evidence that he ever knew of the
scandals or profited from them “"I have no trouble with my enemies, but my
damn friends, they're the ones that keep me walking the floor nights!“
President Harding died of a heart attack in 1923
Harding died a very popular president. He is one of two presidents to be survived by his father. Can you name the other?