The Roaring Twenties Americans want to return to normal times

Return To Normal Times  By the start of the 1920’s, Americans were tired of war  They wanted a return to “normal” times  Americans wanted the country less involved in world affairs

What helped Americans returned to Normal Times?  Warren G. Harding (R) runs for president in 1920 promising a “return to normalcy”  He is elected in a landslide

Warren G. Harding  Former senator from Ohio  Vice President is Calvin Coolidge  Harding is not interested in “heroics, but healing.”  Takes office in 1921

Harding’s Presidential Accomplishments  Emergency Quota Act  Limits immigration to the U.S.  Raised tariff on imported goods  Creates Bureau of the Budget  Oversee’s Veteran’s Bureau

Scandal Under Harding  Several of Harding’s appointees use their offices to make personal profits  Teapot Dome Scandal  Harding’s Secretary of the Interior rents U.S. oil fields to businessmen for a $400,000 payoff  Attorney General and Veteran’s Bureau Chief charged with fraud and bribery  Harding dies in office on 8/2/1923

Teapot Dome Scandal

President Coolidge  Man of few words – showed little emotion  On hearing of his death, poet Dorthy Parker remarks: “How could they tell?”  Believed that “the business of America is business.”  Supporter of the business community  Felt gov’t control and regulation of business hurt the economy  He was against Progressive reforms

Election of 1924  Coolidge is confident of the nations future  Economy was strong  Lives of Americans were improving  “Keep cool with Coolidge”

Coolidge’s 2 nd Term  Promotes economic development at home and peace abroad  Reduces government spending and corporate taxes  Encouraged nations to destroy their weapons  Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)  Outlawed war  Americans were content to ignore foreign affairs because of the booming economy at home

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