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The Roaring Twenties. Americans want to return to normal times. Return To Normal Times. By the start of the 1920’s, Americans were tired of war They wanted a return to “normal” times Americans wanted the country less involved in world affairs. What helped Americans returned to Normal Times?.
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The Roaring Twenties Americans want to return to normal times
Return To Normal Times • By the start of the 1920’s, Americans were tired of war • They wanted a return to “normal” times • Americans wanted the country less involved in world affairs
What helped Americans returned to Normal Times? • Warren G. Harding (R) runs for president in 1920 promising a “return to normalcy” • He is elected in a landslide
Warren G. Harding • Former senator from Ohio • Vice President is Calvin Coolidge • Harding is not interested in “heroics, but healing.” • Takes office in 1921
Harding’s Presidential Accomplishments • Emergency Quota Act • Limits immigration to the U.S. • Raised tariff on imported goods • Creates Bureau of the Budget • Oversee’s Veteran’s Bureau
Scandal Under Harding • Several of Harding’s appointees use their offices to make personal profits • Teapot Dome Scandal • Harding’s Secretary of the Interior rents U.S. oil fields to businessmen for a $400,000 payoff • Attorney General and Veteran’s Bureau Chief charged with fraud and bribery • Harding dies in office on 8/2/1923
President Coolidge • Man of few words – showed little emotion • On hearing of his death, poet Dorthy Parker remarks: “How could they tell?” • Believed that “the business of America is business.” • Supporter of the business community • Felt gov’t control and regulation of business hurt the economy • He was against Progressive reforms
Election of 1924 • Coolidge is confident of the nations future • Economy was strong • Lives of Americans were improving • “Keep cool with Coolidge”
Coolidge’s 2nd Term • Promotes economic development at home and peace abroad • Reduces government spending and corporate taxes • Encouraged nations to destroy their weapons • Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) • Outlawed war • Americans were content to ignore foreign affairs because of the booming economy at home