3.1 Republican Conservatism 1920-1932 Flashcards
What political trends were there after WW1?
- American politics became more conservative and inward
- Democratic Party nationally divided
- Progressivism dwindled
- Republican dominance began
What was the primary focus of the United States before WW1?
Neutral and isolationist
The U.S. was adopting an inward-looking policy, often summarized as ‘America first’.
What did ‘a return to normalcy’ signify in the context of Harding’s presidency?
Support for progressivism was diminished and a return to laissez faire
It indicated a desire for reduced government intervention in business.
Who were the major candidates in the 1920 presidential election?
- James Cox (Democratic Party) with Franklin Roosevelt
- Warren Harding (Republican Party) with Calvin Coolidge
- Eugene Debs (ran from prison)
- Farmer Labour Party candidate
This election was significant for the first-time voting rights for women.
What were Harding’s main interests during his presidency?
‘Golf, drink, and other men’s wives’
This reflected his public image of being amiable and reassuring.
What was one of the successes of Harding’s administration?
- Successful appointments such as Mellon, Hoover, and Hughes
- Freed Eugene Debs
- Pro anti-lynching laws
These appointments were pivotal in shaping his administration’s policies.
Fill in the blank: Harding’s administration is often compared to that of _____ due to its similar approach.
McKinley
What was the impact of the Sheppard-Towner Maternity Aid Act 1921?
Provided federal aid to states for building infant and maternity health centres
This act reflected a limited but significant government intervention.
What economic situation followed the brief post-war recession of 1920-21?
Years of prosperity and rising living standards
This economic recovery contributed to Harding’s popularity.
What were some key shortcomings of Harding’s administration?
- Weak compared to other presidents
- Dubious appointments (Ohio Gang)
- Corruption (Teapot Dome Scandal)
- Open drinking during prohibition
These issues overshadowed his presidency.
What was the Teapot Dome Scandal?
In 1922, key figures in Harding’s administration were accused of profiting from leasing oil reserves for bribes as oil grew in importance and oil reserves were established
The scandal was not uncovered until after Harding’s death in 1923.
Why did Harding win the 1920 election?
Promise of return to normalcy and was not controversial
His platform appealed to voters seeking stability after Wilson’s presidency.
True or False: Harding’s administration was characterized by significant government intervention.
False
What was the public perception of Harding’s presidency?
Very popular among the people despite little actual achievement
His administration was often overshadowed by scandals.
What was the significance of the Fordney-McCumber Act 1922?
Imposed tariffs to help industry, largely at the expense of Japan
This act reflected Harding’s pro-business policies.
What was the atmosphere surrounding the Ohio Gang?
Rumors of poker parties and boozy meetings in the White House as well as using their public offices to benefit themselves
This group caused significant controversy during Harding’s presidency.
Who was Andrew Mellon?
A firm believer in free markets and minimal regulation of business. Harding appointed him as Secretary of State for the Treasury
How did Harding change public spending?
- Budget and Accounting Act cut government spending
- Spending was $5000m in 1920 and $3333m in 1922
Why did a return to normalcy appeal to US voters?
- Short post war recession between 1920-21
- Focused on America rather than the interventionist approach in foreign policy
How successful was Harding’s administration?
- Popular among the people and gave them what they wanted and needed
- Little done by the government
- Overshadowed by the scandals and rumours that took place
Who were the Republican Presidents between 1920 and 1932?
1920-23: Harding
1923-28: Coolidge
1928-32: Hoover
What was Coolidge’s public image like?
- Dry, dull, and respectable
- quiet style and air of efficiency gave him popularity
What was the ‘feelgood factor’ a result of?
- Accompanied the prolonged economic boom
- Constantly rising stock market
What role did Mellon have in Coolidge’s government?
- Kept as Secretary of the Treasury
- Supported the policies of the Mellon Plan ie. low taxes
What did Coolidge do for taxes?
1924 Revenue Act made big cuts in income taxes
What was the outcome of the 1924 election?
Coolidge and the Republicans easily won re-election
What was Hoover’s reputation in 1929?
- Known as ‘the Great Engineer’
- Earned praise for his work in organising emergency relief schemes in WW1
- Effective Secretary of Commerce in Harding administration
- Assumed he would be a success
What was Hoover’s initial response to the depression?
- Passive
- Trust in ‘rugged individualism’ and laissez faire
- Some intervention: Agricultural Marketing Act, Grain Stabilisation Corporation, Hawley Smoot Tariff
- Emphasis on voluntarism
Why was the initial response to the depression so passive?
- Vice President Curtis declared ‘prosperity is just around the corner’
- boom and bust cycles typical
- Orthodox
What was the Agricultural Marketing Act 1930?
Enabled the government to lend money to farmers to stabilise profit
What did the Grain Stabilisation Corporation 1930 do?
Tried to guarantee fair prices by buying wheat so that it could be stored until the price went back up again
Why did Hoover’s agricultural policies fail?
He was paying farmers artificially high prices as prices continued to plunge. Badly affected by tariffs
What was the Hawley Smoot Tariff 1930?
Increased import duties on foreign goods
Why did Hoover’s tariff fail?
- Due to a saturated market, there was less demand
- Other countries refused to trade with the US
How did Hoover rely on voluntarism as an initial response?
Met businessmen and implore them not to cut workforce or wages
How did Hoover’s approach to the depression change over time?
Started off passive but moved to interventionism. Often described as ‘too little too late’
What government intervention was there from 1932?
- Public work schemes
- Reconstruction Finance Corporation 1932
- Emergency Relief Act 1932
- Home Loan Bank Act 1932
What public work schemes did Hoover introduce?
- Hoover dam
- $500m in funding to agencies
- People paid to do work with infrastructure as an outcome
What was the Reconstruction Finance Corporation?
- Most radical measure
- Lent up to $2bn to rescue banks, insurance companies, railroads, and construction companies
What was the Emergency Relief Act 1932?
- Gave £300m to state governments to help the unemployed
What was the Home Loan Bank Act 1932?
- To stimulate house building and home ownership
- 12 Regional banks set up with a fund of $12 million
How was Hoover blamed for the impact of the depression?
Hoover blankets - newspapers homeless people used
Hoovervilles - shanty towns of the unemployed
What happened with the Bonus Marchers?
- May 1932 - 15,000 ex soldiers came to Washington DC to demand an increase in the bonus payments veterans had been receiving
- Established a tented camp on the Anacostia flats
- Hoover refused to meet with them and only offered them concessions to go home
- There was a violent clash between the Bonus Army and federal troops sent to evict them
How was Hoover perceived for his treatment of the Bonus Marchers?
Pictures of the clashes made Hoover look heartless and ‘un-American’
