The 1920s Copy the words in RED

Harding’s Best Minds Warren G. Harding elected in 1920 Presidential Election. Chose best minds for his cabinet - Andrew Mellon as Sec. of Treasury balances budget and lowers taxes! Herbert Hoover becomes Sec. of Commerce helps America expand overseas.

The Ohio Gang n Pres. Harding uses political friends from Ohio who become known as the Ohio Gang. n Friends cause problems and embarrassment n Head of Veterans Bureau, Charles Forbes, gets convicted for stealing millions of dollars from the bureau

Teapot Dome Scandal Harding dies in August of 1923 After his death, more scandals are revealed. Largest is known as the Teapot Dome scandal. Involves Sec. of Interior, Albert Fall and Attorney General, Harry M. Daugherty. Fall leases land to oil companies for bribes. Becomes first Cabinet official ever sent to prison!

Calvin Coolidge n Took the oath of office from his father, a Justice of the Peace in Vermont. n Known as Silent Cal n Forced officials involved in scandals to resign. n Like Harding, believed in prosperity - cut government regulations and named business leaders to head Gov’t agencies. n Laissez-Faire = government stays out of big business (hands off!)

Foreign Affairs (Europe) n After WWI, the US is the world’s leading power! n A weakened Europe expects the US to take the lead in world affairs. n Both Harding and Coolidge wanted peace in Europe but did NOT want US to be the world’s peacekeeper. n In 1921, Harding signs separate peace treaties with the powers defeated in WWI (Germany, Austria and Hungary but does NOT join the League of Nations. n US remains isolationist.

Foreign Affairs ( Soviet Union a.k.a. USSR ) n Lenin creates world’s first Communist nation, the Soviet Union, from what was once Russia and parts of Europe. n The US refused to recognize Lenin’s government (most American’s disliked Communism as they like having private property!) n In 1921, when famine threatens USSR, US sends $20 million in aid and saves possibly as many as 10 million Russians from starvation. n US may not like their government but still willing to help their people.

The Red Scare n Resulted from fear of radicals and communists. n Some believed that the communist ideas of the Russian Revolution would spread to the U.S. n Following a bombing blamed on radicals, Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer began the Palmer Raids, aimed at searching and arresting thousands of suspected radicals. n Eventually, the Scare faded and people decided that radicals did not pose a serious threat.

Foreign Affairs (Latin America) n During WWI Latin America was cut off from Europe - as a result, American trade and investment in the region increased. n In 1926, revolution breaks out in Nicaragua (Americans own RR and plantations) and US sends in Marines to oversee new elections. n In 1927, Mexico announced plans to take over “foreign owned” oil & mining companies. US investors ask Pres. Coolidge to send in troops. n Coolidge sends in a diplomat, Dwight Morrow, and works out a compromise with Mexico instead.

Declaring Peace n Many believed an arms race caused WWI. n US worked for disarmament throughout the 1920’s. n US, Britain and Japan agree to limit the size of their navies. In 1928, US joins 61 countries in the Kellogg-Briand Pact. In 1928, US joins 61 countries in the Kellogg-Briand Pact.

Declaring Peace ( Kellogg-Briand Pact )  This treaty was designed by US Sec. Of State, Frank Kellogg.  Treaty outlaws WAR!  Treaty has a major flaw as it does NOT set up any means for keeping the peace.  One nation could still use force against another w/o fear of punishment.

Immigration n Immigration rose rapidly following WWI. n Strong anti-immigrant feelings swept the nation. n Two Congressional acts were passed in the early 1920s, limiting immigration through the creation of quotas.

Ku Klux Klan n Strongly opposed immigration. n Membership increased drastically during the 1920s. n Targeted not only African Americans, but Catholics, Jews, and foreigners. n Became a force in politics and influenced elections. n Klan’s influence lessened toward the mid-1920s.

Minorities in the 1920s n The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) worked to fight discrimination against black people and open the doors of opportunity. n Mexicans and Mexican-Americans moved to U.S. cities to fill jobs during WWI and more moved in during the 1920s. They settled primarily in the Southwest and northern cities. They often received low wages and faced discrimination. n Many Native Americans fought in WWI and were rewarded with citizenship (legal protections and voting privileges) in Many, however, still lived in poverty.

The End