1. Politics in the 1920’s
The Republican Era

3. I. Warren G. Harding Senator from Ohio
Worked his way up in Republican Politics
Good looking, gifted speaker, good humor, congenial, extroverted and unswerving support of Republican Program
Election of landslide victory
Began 12 years of Republican Rule
Promised:
low taxes
Higher tariffs (taxes on imports)
Immigration restrictions
Aide to farmers
Respected Big Business
Limited Government
“Law and order with a return to normalcy”

5. II. Harding and his cabinet
Felt inadequate as president so he hired talented people to work in his cabinet
Charles Evans Hughes (Sec. Of State)
Herbert Hoover (Sec. Of Commerce)
Andrew Mellon (Sec. Of Treasury)
He also owed people from his home state some favors appointed some “less than qualified appointments too.
Ohio Gang: classic case of “Spoils System”
Very corrupt- engaged in a lot of corrupt activities for personal gain.

7. III. Albert Fall W/ Lawyers outside court
Several gov’t offices suffered mismanagement and thievery under Harding
The worst of them invovled Sec. Of Interior Albert Fall.
1921 gained control of gov’t oil fields
Leased to friends in oil industry (Teapot Dome, Wyoming)
Received major kickbacks ($1/2 mil. And heard of choice cattle)
Convicted of accepting a bribe and spent a year in jail
Known at the “Teapot Dome Scandal”
1st cabinet member convicted and sent to prison while in office

9. IV. Calvin Coolidge Harding Dies 8/2/1923 in San Fransisco
Was on a goodwill journey to Alaska and California
“Tainted Crabs”!?? And a touch of pneumonia
Coolidge becomes president
Personality type= opposite of Harding
Simplistic, homely, quiet, introverted
Hated the limelight
Very intelligent but awkward looking
Strange guy

11. V. Coolidge with Transition Team
“Cal” kept most of the former cabinet
Ex. Mellon and Hughes
Hired new Atty. General Harlan Fiske Stone to “weed out” Ohio Gang
After the turmoil of the Progressive Era and WWI, most Americans appreciated Cal’s smooth silent style
Cal was impressed with wealth and wealthy
Great faith in American Business.

13. VI. “Cool” Cal at home in the White House
Family Man- devoted, spent most of his time with family
Preferred to be at home
Spent avg. 4 hours per day working as President
Seemed to derive little pleasure from leisure. The picture of restraint
Entirely committed to business community, laissez-faire
As economy improved during, he became more convinced country should be run by business principles

15. VII. Coolidge, Mellon, Hoover- the leading lights of the Republican Party
Election of Cal defeats John W. Davis
Democrat with close ties to Progressive Party Candidate Robert La Follette
Smith Believed Gov’t should be involved in business
Americans voted to “keep it cool with Cal”
Progressives continued to fight for Gov’t Control of Business (w/ little success)
From American business doubled
Probusiness program was successful- dazzling prosperity in America
Republicans had stronghold Congress and White House
Not everyone benefitted from the silent Government
Farmers and Unionized workers saw their standard of living drop

17. VIII. Coolidge decides not to run in 1928
Demands of Presidencytoo stressful
Never really wanted to be president in the first place.
Opened the door for Herbert Hoover to become Republican Candidate

19. IX. Hoover Campaigning Self made man- millionaire by 40 Stanford Grad
Believed in “Rugged Individualism”
Through hard work, diligence and discipline, the American Dream could be achieved
Personified the Republican Party
Politcal power in smalltown, midwestern heartland, Protestant Voters.

21. X. Election of 1928 Smith Vs Hoover
Conservative, Pro-business, Rugged individualism, Small Federal Government, Protestant
Alfred E. Smith
Governor of New York, pro public health, workers compensation, civil liberties, government control of some industries, Catholic, Alias- “the Happy Warrior”
During Election, Stock market soared
Results- Hoover sweeps 40/48 states
Including New York
Six months later stock market crashes and Hoover is the scapegoat.

22. CA State Standard
Evaluate the Policies and administrations of the 1920’s Presidents.

23. Prompt__ A Side (30 points)
Using your notes, the internet and the text, create a Wanted Poster and a Commemorative Plaque for each Republican President of the 20’s. (6 total)
Specifics
3 facts for each poster (18 total)
Use of color
1 cartoon for each