1. REVIEW What was happening at the beginning of the 1920’s?
In the election of 1920, what might people be looking for in a president?

2. Harding and Coolidge
The Need for Normalcy

3. The Election of 1920 President Wilson’s stroke
Inability to perform duties
Presidency ended in chaos
Two candidates would face off in the 1920 election
D - James Cox
R - Warren Harding

4. Harding – The Need for Normalcy
Republicans lacked party leader
Roosevelt’s death 1919
Warren Harding sensed that Americans wanted familiarity, safety
Declared nation needed healing, restoration, normalcy
“RETURN TO NORMALCY”
Chose Calvin Coolidge VP

5. Harding Becomes President
Warren Harding and his “Return to Normalcy” received 60% of the popular vote

6. Harding – The Man From Marion, Ohio Worked as a newspaper publisher
Believed in small town values
Independence
Didn’t want government to solve their problems
Known for his love of leisure
Relaxed governing approach

7. Harding – The Politician
His father – active in Republican party
Harding worked his way up politically
Elected U.S. Senator from Ohio in 1914
Frequently skipped Senate sessions
As President
Believed the job was a lot of ceremony
Hired smart team of advisors
Rarely took positions on issues

8. Harding’s Policies PRO-BUSINESS Cut the federal budget
“Less government in business and more business in government.”
Cut the federal budget
Reduced taxes on wealthy Americans
Thought the wealthy would start business, improve the economy

9. Harding’s Policies LITTLE HELP FOR FARMERS
Believed that “the farmer required no special favors at the hands of government.”
Fordney-McCumber Tariff
Raised cost of foreign farm products
Short term help

10. The Ohio Gang Harding appointed highly skilled people
Andrew Mellon – Treasury Secretary
Charles Evans Hughes – Secretary of State
Herbert Hoover – Commerce Secretary
Filled lower-level positions with friends from Ohio
Members were convicted of taking bribes
Called the “Ohio Gang”
Harry Daugherty – Attorney General
Albert Fall - Interior Secretary
Edwin C. Denby – Navy Secretary

11. The Teapot Dome Scandal
Worst scandal involved:
Albert Fall - Secretary of the Interior
What does the Secretary of the Interior control?
Land management, national park service
Fall accepted bribes from oil companies in exchange to drill federal oil reserves on federal land in Wyoming known as the Teapot Dome

12. Harding’s Escape Harding never found to be connected with scandals
Took vacation to Alaska to escape rumors
Collapsed during a speech because of a heart attack
Died later that week
Popular when he died, but…
Overtime corruption and his failings ruined his reputation as President