Presidents Harding and Coolidge Administration Policies

President Harding Elected in 1921 on a promise to return the country to “normalcy.” President Harding said, “America’s present need is not heroics, but healing; not nostrums (uncertain cures) but normalcy (normal times); not revolution, but restoration.” Calvin Coolidge of Massachusetts was his Vice President.

Domestic Affairs Best government is a government that interferes least in peoples lives and is favorable to business.

Ohio Gang President Harding gave jobs in government to many of his friends and political supporters. They turned out to be corrupt.

Teapot Dome Scandal Albert Fall, the Secretary of the Interior, under President Harding, leased government land in Teapot Dome Wyoming to two oil companies and received more than $400,000 in kickbacks. He was later convicted of the corruption and sentenced to jail. Becoming the first cabinet officer ever to serve time in jail.

Foreign Affairs Limited role of nation in world affairs, efforts to promote peace through negotiations rather than military force.

Five-Power Treaty In February 1922, under President Harding, France, Italy, Japan, Britain, and the U.S. signed this treaty to limit the size of the nations’ navies. This is the first time in modern history the world powers agreed to disarm.

President Coolidge President Harding died of a heart attack in August of 1923, Coolidge becomes President. He was nicknamed “Silent Cal” because he was a man of few words.

Domestic Affairs Best government is a government that interferes least in peoples lives and is favorable to business.

Taxes President Coolidge lowered income tax rates on the wealthiest Americans and on corporate profits.

Money and Laws President Coolidge agreed to cut government spending, raised tariffs to protect American business.

Foreign Affairs Limited role of nation in world affairs, efforts to promote peace through negotiations rather than military force.

Isolationism President Coolidge believed in a limited role for the nation in world affairs.

Kellogg-Briand Pact Supported by President Coolidge, it called for the outlawing of war. 62 nations signed it but, it lacked any means of enforcing peace.

Venn Diagram On the opposing page, create a Venn diagram on page 5 comparing Presidents Harding and Coolidge’s Administration Policies. Lightly shade each section a different color.