Presidents of the 1920s: Three conservative republican presidents: Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover

President Warren G. Harding ( ) won the election of 1920 by a landslide on the promise of a “return to normalcy”— which, for Republicans in the 1920s, meant a return to big business. His administration is known for its corruption. Many officials were forced from office, and some narrowly escaped prison time. The most prominent scandal was the Teapot Dome scandal.

The Teapot Dome Scandal Named after naval oil reserves at Teapot Dome, Wyoming, and at Elk Hills, California Named after naval oil reserves at Teapot Dome, Wyoming, and at Elk Hills, California Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall was jailed for a year for accepting bribes to provide oil leases in Wyoming and California to wealthy businessmen. Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall was jailed for a year for accepting bribes to provide oil leases in Wyoming and California to wealthy businessmen.

Delegated much of his responsibility to subordinates and friends Delegated much of his responsibility to subordinates and friends Harding was largely unaware of the corruption in his administration. Harding was largely unaware of the corruption in his administration. Harding died while in office in Harding died while in office in 1923.

President Calvin Coolidge ( ) Became President when Harding died in office, then re-elected in 1924 Man of few words. Nicknamed “Silent Cal” Said “The business of America is business” Least active president in history, taking daily naps and proposing no new legislation.

“Keep it up everybody!!” The country’s economy was doing very well, and Coolidge stayed “hands off” so that things would continue the way that they were going. The country’s economy was doing very well, and Coolidge stayed “hands off” so that things would continue the way that they were going.

President Herbert Hoover ( ) The third conservative republican president in a row. Much more active in the economy than his predecessors The United States economy was higher than ever, and it seemed as though poverty in America was a thing of the past. His election seemed to ensure prosperity. Yet within months the stock market crashed, and the Nation spiraled downward into depression.

The major goal of government in the 1920s was to help business and industry to operate with maximum efficiency and productivity.