1. The 1920s Return to Normalcy

2. “America’s present need is not heroics, but healing; not nostrums, but normalcy; not revolution, but restoration; not agitation, but adjustment; not surgery, but serenity; not the dramatic, but the dispassionate; not experiment, but equipoise; not submergence in internationality, but sustainment in triumphant nationality.” - Warren Harding, from his “Return to Normalcy Speech”, May 4, 1920

3. The Politics of Normalcy
The GOP is so confident of victory in 1920 that they were not looking for a “man of stature”. Rather, they were looking for a candidate they could control. *With TR’s defection in 1912, the Progressive wing of the GOP has little influence and the Old Guard conservatives dominate.
As a compromise candidate, the GOP nominated Ohio Senator Warren G. Harding and Massachusetts Governor Calvin Coolidge.

4. The Democrats in 1920
Unwisely focusing their campaign on supporting the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, the Democrats became the victims of growing American frustration over U.S. internationalism.
The Democrats nominate Ohio Governor James Cox and Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

6. Highlights from the Harding Admin
Quickly dismantled war time measures, in some cases rolling back gains made by Progressives.
Esch-Cummins Act (1920) denationalizing RRs
Created the Veteran’s Bureau
Immigration Legislation

7. The Return of Big Business
After 20 years of Progressive assaults on business, old guard Conservative Republicans were determined to reclaim lost ground by: reducing federal regulations, cutting federal spending, reducing taxes, and destroying Labor Unions.
On a camping trip, from the left:
Henry Ford,
Thomas Edison,
Pres. Harding,
& Harvey Firestone

8. Closing the Door to Immigrants
In response to growing
concerns among Americans
that immigrants were
eroding traditional
American values…
1921 Immigration Act, which ended open immigration and est a quota system.
1924 National Origins Act, which further reduced quotas, especially from Eastern Europe and banned Asians completely.

9. Some insight into Harding…
“It’s a good thing you
[Harding] wasn’t born a
girl. Because you’d be in
the family way all the
time. You can’t say no.”
Father of President Harding
“I have no troubles with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies all right. But my damn friends – my goddamn friends – they’re the ones that keep me walking the floors at night.” -President Harding

10. Scandals Plague the Harding Administration
Teapot Dome: Secretary of the Interior was allowing private oil companies to tap into reserves set aside for the US Navy. Veteran’s Bureau : Director was convicted of selling supplies from Veteran’s Hospitals. Attorney General: Harding’s AG was fired for selling liquor permits & pardons.
Harding and Attorney General Harry Daughtery

12. Calvin Coolidge’s Formula for Prosperity
Business Growth & Success Greater prosperity for most Americans Preservation of societal harmony (Stability)

13. “Mr. Laissez-faire” Calvin Coolidge
“Never before, here or any
where else, has the
government been so
completely fused with
business.”
Wall Street Journal
“The chief business of the
American people is
-President Coolidge

14. Changes in government and public perception help Big Business:
Retreat from Progressive reforms & regulations
Consolidation in business & banking
Laissez-faire, pro-business presidents
Business execs appointed to government positions
Trickle-down economic theory
Changes in Perception:
Growing respect for WWI contributions
Business given credit for prosperity
Welfare capitalism
Shifting public sentiment…a man’s worth is measured in income, not intelligence.

15. Evolution of the Democratic Party
In the 1920s, Democratic Progressives become Liberals. What’s the difference?

16. The Election of 1928: Is America ready for change?
In the 1920s, the US became a
majority urban nation for the 1st
time. The Democrats will nominate
New York Governor Al Smith. While
Gov. Smith has an impressive
political record he is
a true urban candidate
an Irish-Catholic
against Prohibition
a product of the Tammany Hall political machine

17. Smith is doomed… The election of 1928 reaffirmed that many
Americans were strongly
anti-urban
anti-immigrant
anti-Catholic
anti-alcohol
anti-secularism
Republican Herbert Hoover wins the presidency in 1928 with 58% of the popular vote.

19. 1920s Consumerism: What factors made it different?
mass production made new consumer goods more affordable
marketing & advertising
new products improve the quality of life – especially for women
more homes have electricity
debt is more socially acceptable, many new consumer goods are bought with payment plans
people have more disposable income & more leisure time

20. 1920s Consumerism: What factors made it different?
war-time research & development continued with advances in plastics & synthetic textiles
post-war building boom (skyscrapers & housing)
auto industry makes 1920s prosperity possible

21. Hamilton would have loved the 1920s…
The 1920s were a high- tide of Hamiltonianism, of a hierarchal conception of society with government pursuit of policies favorable to business.
Alexander Hamilton’s Grave