The Impact of WW1 on the Presidency and Harding Flashcards
What were the main reasons for the US involving themselves in the First World War?
- Germany made attacks US shipping
- Germany were looking at making Mexico an ally against the US
What did many Americans think of the US’s involvement post-war?
That it had been a mistake
What were many Americans angered and annoyed about with Wilson’s post-war plans?
They were angered with the plans to involve the US in international affairs more post-war
What did Harding promise during his 1920 election campaign?
A Return to ‘normalcy’
What did many believe ‘normalcy’ meant?
A return to how things used to be before the US entered the war
What happened to the economy post-war?
There was a sharp yet short economic shock
What were the number of people of people unemployed in 1919 and 1921?
1919: 950,000
1921: 5,000,000
How did Harding define ‘normalcy’?
As a steady and stable way of life and to shift the focus of the American government onto the US completely
What were Harding’s main aims?
- Reduce Tax for the American people
- Introduce tariff’s on products to protect US trade
- Provide nation wide radio
(RIP)
What was Harding’s main foreign policy?
Isolationism
What did isolationism mean for trade and give an example?
Tariffs were introduced to encouraged people to buy domestically made products; Fordney-McCumber Act (1922) rose tariffs encouraged people to ‘buy American’ and meant people like farmers earned more money
