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The Presidents and Politics

The Presidents and Politics. Harding And Coolidge. overall conservative policies popular at time but lacked foresight ambiguous on League of Nations spoke of “return conservative GOP began to lose power unwillingness to embrace US strengths at end of war helped create Grt Dep.

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The Presidents and Politics

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  1. The Presidents and Politics

  2. Harding And Coolidge overall conservative policies popular at time but lacked foresight ambiguous on League of Nations spoke of “return conservative GOP began to lose power unwillingness to embrace US strengths at end of war helped create Grt Dep.

  3. Election of 1920 no clear Rep front-runner.

  4. Warren G Harding emerged as front-runner handsome popular controllable platform “Return to Normalcy”.

  5. Democratic Candidate James Cox (OH) supported League of Nations chose Asst Sec of Navy Franklin D Roosevelt (NY) as running mate.

  6. described as “harmless but incompetent” “pompous” “a see nothing president”.

  7. Return to Normalcy • reference to simpler times • return to laissez faire business practices • tariffs ↑ • corporate, income taxes ↓ • spending ↓ • gov-bus cooperation • trusts allowed to grow w/out gov interference • return to isolation • US not to join League of Nations • will seek separate peace w/ Ger.

  8. Return of Spoils System appointed friends to prominent cabinet positions used connections to make $$ considered one of worst pres in US hist.

  9. Andrew W Mellon Sec of Treasury Herbert Hoover Sec of Commerce. not all cabinet members corrupt 2 standouts

  10. 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% impact recovery in Eur impeded European nations unable to repay debts to US retaliatory tariff hurt US manufacturers.

  11. Harding and the Supreme Court Pierce Butler Edward Sanford George Sutherland William Howard Taft named Chief Justice conservative/reactionary held back reform ruled against progressive legislation killed fed child labor law stripped away gains made by labor restricted gov intervention in econ.

  12. Corruption and Scandal(s)

  13. Veteran’s Bureau Scandal Charles Forbes Head of Veteran’s Bureau army deserter w/ accomplices Forbes collected at least $250 M in bribes/kickbacks most in connection w/ building veteran’s hospitals sentenced to 2 yrs in fed pen.

  14. Teapot Dome Scandal Albert Fall Secretary of Interior considered one of “worst minds” in Harding’s cabinet.

  15. Fall leased naval reserve oil lands Teapot 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.

  16. 1923 Senator Thomas Walsh, MO exposed scandal.

  17. 1924 Fall/oilmen indicted Senate investigation 1929 case finally resolved Fall guilty of accepting bribes fined $100,000 1 yr in jail Fall/Doheney acquitted of more serious charges.

  18. Daugherty Scandal Harry Daugherty Attorney General described as “big Irish crook” illegally selling pardons liquor permits taking bribes in process brought to trial 2x never convicted.

  19. Miller Scandal Col Thomas Miller head Office of Alien Property illegally sold valuable Ger patents seized during war convicted of fraud.

  20. 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

  21. Harding Leaves Office Unexpectedly scandals break after Harding’s death Calvin Coolidge assumes office.

  22. Election of 1924 Reps stick w/ Calvin Coolidge.

  23. everyone promising ↓ taxes.

  24. last Presidential election for Progressive party US too prosperous for voters to be concerned w/ reform Democrats badly split “wets”/“drys” modernists/fundamentalists N liberals/S white supremacists immigrants/WASPs.

  25. Results

  26. Calvin Coolidge academician considered extremely honest not a strong leader quiet “Silent Cal” “The business of America is business.” supported Social Darwinism “a man is worth the wages he can earn” white supremacist.

  27. The Farm Problem causes WW I production ↑ to feed both US/Eur technology new machines increased crop yields led to overproduction.

  28. The McNary – Haugen Bill designed to keep agricultural prices ↑ est gov subsidies purchase excess sell abroad Coolidge vetoed 2x.

  29. Muscle Shoals when completed, lgst mass concrete lock & dam built 1st fed hydroelectric proj as AWA 1st Corps of Engineers multipurpose effort later incorporated into TVA system.

  30. Domestic Impact of Harding and Coolidge rich got richer -- poor got poorer wild speculation on stocks ag overproduction/farm foreclosures continuing ↓ of foreign trade post war recession in Eur US protective tariffs.

  31. Foreign Policy Under Harding/Coolidge Isolationism US refused to sign Versailles Treaty League of Nations Covenant 1921 Cong passed joint resolution declaring war over naval arms race shaping up US, Britain, Japan.

  32. Unpaid Loans and Reparations US emerged from war creditor nation demanded repayment failed to realize Eur economies not recovered GBr/Fr protest repayment demands loans should be forgiven GBr/Fr pd heavier price in lost lives.

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