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Politics of the Roaring Twenties. The Harding Presidency. Objectives. Contrast Harding’s policy of “normalcy” with progressive era reforms. Identify scandals that plagued the Harding administration. Do Now. How do you feel after getting back from vacation?
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Politics of the Roaring Twenties The Harding Presidency
Objectives • Contrast Harding’s policy of “normalcy” with progressive era reforms. • Identify scandals that plagued the Harding administration.
Do Now • How do you feel after getting back from vacation? • Are you glad to get back to a routine?
Warren G. Harding • Assumed the presidency in 1921 • He promised a return to normalcy—the simpler days before the progressive era and the Great War
Harding Struggles for Peace • Washington Naval Conference (1921) • President Harding invites Great Britain, France, Japan and Italy to the conference • Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes urged the naval powers to disarm—no more war ships would be built for 10 years
Harding Struggles for Peace • Kellogg Briand Pact (1928) • Rejected war as a national policy • 15 countries signed the pact • President Coolidge for the US signs the pact; however, the pact provided no means of enforcement
High Tariffs and Reparations • Fordney-McCumber Tariff • Raised taxes on U.S. imports to 60 % • Made it impossible for Britain and France to repay war debts
High Tariffs and Reparations • Dawes Plan • American banker, Charles Dawes negotiated a loan to Germany to pay back Britain and France • Britain and France then paid the US money it was owed • This solution caused resentment towards the US
Scandal Hits Harding’s Administration • Ohio Gang • The President’s poker playing buddies that were corrupt and caused embarrassment for the president • They were members of his cabinet
Scandal Plagues Harding • Charles R. Forbes • Head of the veterans bureau was caught illegally selling hospital supplies to private companies
Legacy of Harding • He was a good natured man, but his friends were the problem. • He died of a heart attack August 2, 1923
Scandal Hit Harding’s Admin • Teapot Dome Scandal • Government set aside oil rich public fields for the Navy in Wyoming and Elk Hills, California • Albert B. Fall, secretary of the interior leased the fields to oil companies and receive over 400,000 dollars from an oil company
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