THE PRESIDENTS OF THE 1920s. Back to the Gilded Age

Transcription

1 THE PRESIDENTS OF THE 1920s Back to the Gilded Age

2 Mood of America Changes post Sick of crusades WWI Progressivism, WWI required a lot of sacrifice (Historian Robert Dallek says you can only sing at the highest note for so long meaning after awhile its too much work) The people were tired needed a break

3 Warren G. Harding ( ) Called for a return to normalcy The usual perceptions is that he was not very bright one of the most average men ever to be president.

4 Harding s background From Marion, Ohio Served in Ohio legislature and then became Senator from Ohio, without distinction It was said you could spend hours going through his speeches looking for an idea. Attractive presidential candidate because he was likeable, looked the part.

5 Harding s Presidency Known mostly for scandal Cronies known as Ohio Gang cheated government out of millions Famous scandals Teapot Dome (in which secretary of interior sold off naval oil reserves to private developers in exchange for a bribe) Veteran s Bureau Scandal Harding s personal character not exactly great either. Had young girlfriend, Nan Britton (they met when he was 40something, she was 17 Rumors of trysts in White House coat closet, illegitimate baby)

6 Let s not forget Even though Harding (justifiably) often ranks as one of the worst presidents, he does do some things even a liberal can love Pardons Eugene V. Debs Desegregates federal government Strong supporter of women s rights Success in foreign policy we ll deal w/ that another day.

7 CALVIN COOLDIDGE ( ) Silent Cal Trivia only president sworn in by his father. (Papa Coolidge was a judge, Cal was on a home visit when news of Harding s death arrived) Great friend of business.

8 Coolidge Is Fun (This is trivia but it makes a point) Totally boring completely hilarious Oddly quotable The Business of America is business The man who builds a factory, builds a temple. The man who works there worships there. The story of the woman at the white house dinner. Farmers have always been poor, I don t suppose there s anything the government can do about it

9 Coolidge s Philosophy Pro Business Credited with Coolidge Prosperity Of course, that prosperity, unchecked, may have created the Great Depression. Believes in a VERY limited presidency (to this end, he worked short days, took a lot of naps, went fishing often. Would have fit right in the Gilded Age Does not believe in government intervention Vetoes McNary-Haugen farm support bill (see quote about farmers on previous slide for example of his tremendous sensitivity to farmers plight)

10 Herbert Hoover Rugged Individualism Background is as a selfmade man and a humanitarian Right Man Wrong Time? (he had the traits of a good president, but his philosophy was inadequate for the Great Depression. In another era, he might have performed admirably.

11 Overall Evaluation of 20 s Presidents Sets the trends for much of 20 th Century Republican Presidents Low tax pro-business economic outlook creates great wealth and tremendous poverty Seemingly little interest in using the government to promote social issues Widely popular in small town, conservative America Very much in the tradition of Reagan/Bush/Bush, at least in terms of domestic outlook.