The Politics of the 1920s

Warren G. Harding President Harding promised to take America “back to normalcy.” This Promise would lead him right to the White House Normalcy meant a return to life as it was in prewar America. Less government in business and more business in government. First President to have his inauguration speech amplified through loudspeakers. First President since Washington to personally nominate his cabinet members. Opened the White House to the public.

Scandals in the Harding Administration Harding filled several government positions with old friends. TEAPOT DOME SCANDAL – Secretary of Interior, Fall, persuaded Harding to give him control over the national oil reserves in Teapot Dome, WY. Fall leased the oil reserves to two companies that had paid him $360,000 in bribes. Scandal rocked the public confidence in the government.

Foreign policy in the 1920s After World War I, America moved towards Isolationism - the policy or doctrine of isolating one's country from the affairs of other nations by declining to enter into alliances, and remain at peace by avoiding foreign entanglements and responsibilities.

Dawes Plan Dawes Plan Great Britain and France owed U.S. lenders $11 Billion. Germany stopped paying reparations in 1923; GB and France relied on these reparations to repay the U.S. banks. American Banks would loan money to Germany; Germany would use this money to pay reparations to GB and France; GB and France would then repay what they owned American lenders.

Economy of the 1920s Business expanded, productivity increased, unemployment fell from 12% to 2% Henry Ford’s assembly line allowed for mass production; lowered prices made cars affordable. Cars sparked new industries: steel, rubber, oil, highway construction, restaurants/hotels, gas stations, repair shops, (1 in 8 Americans worked in a job related to the auto industry) Driving became a past time for Americans, and allowed Americans to vacation more often

Mass Media of the 1920s National magazines, radio, and motion pictures created a true national culture. Americans nationwide could relate to each other.

Consumer Culture of 1920s Consumer Culture new products and advertising created buying spree easy credit and installment buying allowed people to “buy now and pay later”