What was Harding’s appeal? p7

2. What was Harding’s appeal?p7 • Not a crusader or a prophet but a simple joiner • “always tried to fit in , a swell guy” • Handsome and charming orator • Clean reputation – scandal free • Views on TofV and LofN hazily defined • Remained “mute” to gain votes • Appealed to country’s need to heal not for heroics • Saw war as unnatural Historian views: “barren of accomplishment and tarnished by scandal” McAdoo said speeches were and “army of pompous phrases”

3. Harding’s achievements • Away: Hughes (sec of state but why? p13) Bold and promoted the reorganisation of foreign service (appointment not monopolised by young wealthy families) and reduction of naval armaments names of treaties? ’13-16 • Home: Mellon (treasury sec good choice? p16) saw good govt as a low tax govt with a sound balanced budget but with minimal regulation. Loathing for progressive taxation as a way of penalising the rich and discouraging enterprise. Fed taxes reduced (how does this fit with Harding’s presidential campaign?) • Wallace (sec of agriculture why? p19) • Hoover (sec of commerce why p20) aimed to keep food prices stable and provide an efficiency guarantee. Praised free enterprise but urged businessmen to pursue goals through voluntary cooperation encouraged TUs • 1st president to oppose white supremacy speculative legislation on anti lynching • 1921 accelerated programme of federal public works and tried to encourage manufacturers to form trade unions to eliminate waste costs and improve US competition • Sheppard Towner Maternity Aid Act to help states to develop infant and maternity health programmes Balance of change and conservatism? Was it Harding? (NB Harding’s appointments (4) to senate what effect does this have? P23-26)

4. Trends in Harding’s Society

5. Trends in Harding’s society- how do these link together? Immigration: 1921 Emergency Immigration law putting a ceiling on immigration from an country (3%) 1924 banned immigration from Japan 15000 limit per year on immigration except Mexicans Urbanisation More people moving to towns and cities 54 /106 m Americans in towns and 16m lived in rural communities where communication was limited and thus communities became isolated Religion and Morality Hollywood films clean living among stars Widespread distrust of jazz and city life linked with immorality +Fundamentalism revived and use of mass radios and rallies to gain more xians- Aimee Semple McPherson had a tank to baptise 150 people at a time 1925 scopes trial Race and Racism WASPs still seen as superior Soldiers test completed on American history and geography KKK reborn in 1915 to promote white supremacy and attack new revolution but return to ideal of plain living Red scare begins blaming strikes on Communism Palmer created General Intelligence division to investigate revolutionary activities leading to Palmer raids in 1920s Sacco and Vanzetti executes in 1927 Prohibition 18th am banned sale distribution and manufacture of liquor in usa Volstead act= toxic if contained 1% alcohol Smuggles; bootleggers; moonshine; speakeasies War

6. Scandals Cabinet member guilty in Teapot Dome scandal Never again until Nixon and Reagan

7. Weaknesses Strengths Assessment of Harding’s presidency