The 1920s Return to Normalcy

“America’s present need is not heroics, but healing; not nostrums, but normalcy; not revolution, but restoration; not agitation, but adjustment; not surgery, but serenity; not the dramatic, but the dispassionate; not experiment, but equipoise; not submergence in internationality, but sustainment in triumphant nationality.” - Warren Harding, from his “Return to Normalcy Speech”, May 4, 1920

The Politics of Normalcy The GOP is so confident of victory in 1920 that they were not looking for a “man of stature”. Rather, they were looking for a candidate they could control. *With TR’s defection in 1912, the Progressive wing of the GOP has little influence and the Old Guard conservatives dominate. As a compromise candidate, the GOP nominated Ohio Senator Warren G. Harding and Massachusetts Governor Calvin Coolidge.

The Democrats in 1920 Unwisely focusing their campaign on supporting the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, the Democrats became the victims of growing American frustration over U.S. internationalism. The Democrats nominate Ohio Governor James Cox and Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Highlights from the Harding Admin Quickly dismantled war time measures, in some cases rolling back gains made by Progressives. Esch-Cummins Act (1920) denationalizing RRs Created the Veteran’s Bureau Immigration Legislation

The Return of Big Business After 20 years of Progressive assaults on business, old guard Conservative Republicans were determined to reclaim lost ground by: reducing federal regulations, cutting federal spending, reducing taxes, and destroying Labor Unions. On a camping trip, from the left: Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Pres. Harding, & Harvey Firestone

Closing the Door to Immigrants In response to growing concerns among Americans that immigrants were eroding traditional American values… 1921 Immigration Act, which ended open immigration and est a quota system. 1924 National Origins Act, which further reduced quotas, especially from Eastern Europe and banned Asians completely.

Some insight into Harding… “It’s a good thing you [Harding] wasn’t born a girl. Because you’d be in the family way all the time. You can’t say no.” Father of President Harding “I have no troubles with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies all right. But my damn friends – my goddamn friends – they’re the ones that keep me walking the floors at night.” -President Harding

Scandals Plague the Harding Administration Teapot Dome: Secretary of the Interior was allowing private oil companies to tap into reserves set aside for the US Navy. Veteran’s Bureau : Director was convicted of selling supplies from Veteran’s Hospitals. Attorney General: Harding’s AG was fired for selling liquor permits & pardons. Harding and Attorney General Harry Daughtery

Calvin Coolidge’s Formula for Prosperity Business Growth & Success Greater prosperity for most Americans Preservation of societal harmony (Stability)

“Mr. Laissez-faire” Calvin Coolidge “Never before, here or any where else, has the government been so completely fused with business.” Wall Street Journal “The chief business of the American people is -President Coolidge

Changes in government and public perception help Big Business: Retreat from Progressive reforms & regulations Consolidation in business & banking Laissez-faire, pro-business presidents Business execs appointed to government positions Trickle-down economic theory Changes in Perception: Growing respect for WWI contributions Business given credit for prosperity Welfare capitalism Shifting public sentiment…a man’s worth is measured in income, not intelligence.

Evolution of the Democratic Party In the 1920s, Democratic Progressives become Liberals. What’s the difference?

The Election of 1928: Is America ready for change? In the 1920s, the US became a majority urban nation for the 1st time. The Democrats will nominate New York Governor Al Smith. While Gov. Smith has an impressive political record he is a true urban candidate an Irish-Catholic against Prohibition a product of the Tammany Hall political machine

Smith is doomed… The election of 1928 reaffirmed that many Americans were strongly anti-urban anti-immigrant anti-Catholic anti-alcohol anti-secularism Republican Herbert Hoover wins the presidency in 1928 with 58% of the popular vote.

1920s Consumerism: What factors made it different? mass production made new consumer goods more affordable marketing & advertising new products improve the quality of life – especially for women more homes have electricity debt is more socially acceptable, many new consumer goods are bought with payment plans people have more disposable income & more leisure time

1920s Consumerism: What factors made it different? war-time research & development continued with advances in plastics & synthetic textiles post-war building boom (skyscrapers & housing) auto industry makes 1920s prosperity possible

Hamilton would have loved the 1920s… The 1920s were a high- tide of Hamiltonianism, of a hierarchal conception of society with government pursuit of policies favorable to business. Alexander Hamilton’s Grave