The Presidents

andPolitics

HardingAnd

Coolidgeoverall

conservativepolicies popular at time but lacked foresight

ambiguous on League of Nationsspoke of “return

conservative GOP began to lose power

unwillingness to embrace US strengths at end of war helped create Grt Dep.

Election of 1920

no clear Rep front-runner.

Warren G Harding emerged as front-

runner

handsomepopular

controllable

platform“Return to Normalcy”.

James Cox (OH)supported League of Nations

chose Asst Sec of Navy Franklin D Roosevelt (NY) as running mate.

Democratic Candidate

described as

“harmless but incompetent”“pompous”

“a see nothing president”.

Return to Normalcy

reference to simpler times

return to laissez faire business practicestariffs ↑

corporate, income taxes ↓spending ↓

gov-bus cooperationtrusts allowed to grow w/out gov interference

return to isolationUS not to join League of Nationswill seek separate peace w/ Ger.

Return of Spoils System

appointed friends to prominent cabinet positionsused connections to make $$

considered one of worst pres in US hist.

not all cabinet members corrupt2 standouts

Andrew W MellonSec of Treasury

Herbert HooverSec of Commerce.

Taxes/Tariffs

supported tax ↓ for wealthy and corporations

no tax ↓ for middle class

Fordney-McCumber Tariff↑ tariff from 27% to 38.5%

farm products as high as 50%

impactrecovery in Eur impeded

European nations unable to repay debts to USretaliatory tariff hurt US manufacturers.

Harding and the Supreme Court

William Howard Taft named Chief Justice

George SutherlandPierce Butler Edward Sanford

conservative/reactionaryheld back reform

ruled against progressive legislationkilled fed child labor law

stripped away gains made by laborrestricted gov intervention in econ.

Corruption and Scandal(s)

Veteran’s Bureau Scandal

Charles ForbesHead of Veteran’s

Bureauarmy deserter

w/ accomplicesForbes collected at least $250 M in

bribes/kickbacks

most in connection w/ building veteran’s hospitals

sentenced to 2 yrs in fed pen.

Teapot Dome Scandal

Albert FallSecretary of Interior

considered one of “worst minds” in Harding’s

cabinet.

Fall

leased naval reserve oil landsTeapot Dome, WY

Elk Hills, CA to oilmen Harry F. Sinclair/Edward L. Doheny

took $100,000 bribe from Doheny $325,000 from Sinclair

also got large herd of cattle

Harding signed secret order approving move.

1923

Senator Thomas Walsh, MO

exposed scandal.

Senate investigation

Fall/Doheney acquitted of more serious charges.

1924Fall/oilmen

indicted

1929case finally resolved

Fall guilty of accepting bribesfined $100,000

1 yr in jail

Daugherty Scandal

Harry DaughertyAttorney General

described as “big Irish crook”

illegally selling pardons

liquor permits

taking bribes in process

brought to trial 2xnever convicted.

Miller Scandal

Col Thomas Miller

headOffice of Alien Property

illegally sold valuable Ger patents seized during war

convicted of fraud.

scandals undermined public’s faith in cts/pub officials

“In America, everyone is assumed guilty until proven rich.”

"My God, this is a hell of a job! I have no trouble with my enemies, but my damn friends, they're the ones that keep

me walking the floor nights.“Warren G Harding

Harding Leaves Office Unexpectedly

scandals break after Harding’s death

Calvin Coolidge assumes office.

Election of 1924

Reps stick w/ Calvin Coolidge.

everyone promising ↓

taxes.

last Presidential election for Progressive partyUS too prosperous for voters to be concerned w/ reform

Democrats badly split“wets”/“drys”

modernists/fundamentalistsN liberals/S white supremacists

immigrants/WASPs.

Results

Calvin Coolidge

academician

considered extremely honest

not a strong leaderquiet

“Silent Cal”

“The business of America is business.”

supported Social Darwinism“a man is worth the wages

he can earn”

white supremacist.

The Farm Problem

causes

WW Iproduction ↑ to feed both US/Eur

technologynew machines increased crop yields

led to overproduction.

The McNary – Haugen Bill

designed to keep agricultural prices ↑

est gov subsidiespurchase excess

sell abroad

Coolidge vetoed 2x.

Muscle Shoals

when completed, lgst mass concrete lock & dam built1st fed hydroelectric proj as AWA 1st Corps of Engineers multipurpose

effortlater incorporated into TVA system.

Domestic Impact of Harding and Coolidge

rich got richer -- poor got poorer

wild speculation on stocks

ag overproduction/farm foreclosures

continuing ↓ of foreign tradepost war recession in Eur

US protective tariffs.

Foreign Policy Under Harding/Coolidge

Isolationism

US refused to signVersailles Treaty

League of Nations Covenant

1921Cong passed joint resolution declaring war over

naval arms race shaping up US, Britain, Japan.

Unpaid Loans and Reparations

US emerged from war creditor nationdemanded repayment

failed to realize Eur economies not recovered

GBr/Fr protest repayment demandsloans should be forgiven

GBr/Fr pd heavier price in lost lives.