The Republican Influence Section 8.2

Today’s Agenda Presentations (Day 10) 8.2 Slide Show Homework Read 8.2 over the next few days Quiz Friday on Section 8.1, Sacco and Vanzetti & 8.2

The Roaring Twenties Treaty of Versailles -Red Scare -Harding Elected -Normalcy Stock Market Crashes Cool Cal Elected -Hoover Elected - Kellogg-Briand Pact -Dawes Plan saves Germany Return of Laissez-Faire

Describe the personalities of the 20s Presidents. Harding Good Looking Affable Gambler/Golfe r Philanderer “Normalcy” Laissez-Faire Coolidge Shy Honest Thrifty Laconic “Silent Cal” Laissez-Faire Hoover Hardworking Self-made Honest Sensitive “Wonder Boy” Laissez-Faire

What did Harding mean by a ‘return to normalcy?’ Election of 1920 –a referendum on progressivism (1912) Public exhausted: –War –Progressivism –Red Scare (1919) Harding promised “Normalcy” –things would go back to normal (Good Old Days)

Who was the Ohio Gang? Harding’s old corrupt friends from Ohio AKA “The Poker Cabinet” Head of Veteran’s Bureau sold hospital supplies for personal profit

What was the Teapot Dome Scandal? Albert Fall (Secretary of Interior) Leased Government Oil Reserves (Teapot Dome, Wyoming) to friends for $$$ 1 st public official to go to prison “Everyone is assumed guilty until proved rich.”

What was Coolidge’s attitude toward business? Laissez-faire policies –“The business of America is business” Mississippi River Flood –“The government is not an insurer of its citizens against the hazards of the elements.” Appointed business people to regulatory commissions –ICC, FTC Appointed Supreme Court justices who were against progressive legislation –Struck down 12 laws (including child labor law)

Who was Andrew Mellon? Secretary of Treasury 3 rd wealthiest man in US Cut govt. spending Trickle Down Economics –Cut taxes on business and the rich –Eventually poor will benefit Millionaire in 1926 paid less 33% less than 1921 Coolidge, Mellon, Hoover

Why was Hoover known as the Wonder Boy? Mining engineer Managed US Food Administration during WWI Belgian Relief Committee Secretary of Commerce Coolidge coined “Wonder Boy” to sneer at his popularity

How would you rate Hoover as a president (and as Sec. of Commerce) before 1929? Supported creation of Bureau of Standards Expanded government control of airlines, radio stations Organized Trade Associations (to limit destructive competition) Pushed for 8 hr. workday, child nutrition, conservation, pollution control Believed in volunteerism & free enterprise

What was the Dawes Plan? Allies owe US $10 billion Germany owed Allies $33 Billion Germany defaulted in late Charles G. Dawes –Wealthy banker –US loaned Germany $2.5 billion so they could pay Allies so Allies could pay US Averts war

What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)? International agreement that declared war illegal Signed by 14 nations Ridiculed as a “parchment peace” Washington Conference (Nov 1921) –US, England, Japan, France, Italy agreed to limit navy

Conclusion What is normalcy? Was Harding a good president? Coolidge? Hoover? Where is our government on the political spectrum?