Topic 1: Changing Political Environment (Wilson-Roosevelt) Flashcards
State the years that Wilson occupied the role of the President of the USA and the reason why he left office
First term: 1913-1916
Second term: 1917-1921
Wilson suffered a stroke in October 1919 which led to his wife carrying out many presidential duties in his place behind closed doors.
Wilson’s shift from isolationism marked by his ‘14 Points’ post-war led to his increasing unpopularity with the American people along with the economic downturn and Red Scare that accompanied the aftermath of WW1.
Republican candidate Harding’s 1920 presidential campaign, which promised a ‘Return to Normalcy’, won over voters who blamed Wilson for financial hardships and wanted as little involvement with European affairs as possible following the horrors of the Great War.
State the key events that occurred during Wilson’s presidency
First World War (1914-1918)
Sinking of the RMS Lusitania (1915)
Zimmermann Telegram (1917)
Russian Revolution (1917)
Wilson’s ‘14 Points’ introduced (1918)
Workers’ strikes (1919)
First Red Scare (1919-1920)
Prohibition Era began with the Volstead Act (1920-1933)
State the reasons why Wilson was elected and re-elected as President of the USA
Wilson was an idealist who won people over with his optimistic nature and promise of change in America.
His progressive mentality rallied like-minded individuals together during difficult periods of his time in office.
Wilson’s 1916 re-election campaign slogan was ‘He kept us out of war’, reflecting the isolationist stance America held until 1917 when they entered WW1.
State Wilson’s domestic policy during his presidency
Wilson was a believer in income tax, meaning people had to give back a percentage of their earnings and recognised the importance of managing the economy.
He strived to work for the public’s best interest.
Wilson had a desire to modernise America, reflecting his progressive mind set; additionally, his passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920 enabling white women to vote demonstrates this.
Wilson negotiated the Federal Reserve Act, which was passed in 1913 and created the Federal Banking System in order to address the banking panics occurring in America at the time.
State Wilson’s foreign policy during his presidency
Prior to WW1, Wilson’s foreign policies centred around isolationism and neutrality; however, following events such as the Zimmermann Telegram (Mexico being offered American soil should Germany win the war) and the sinking of the Lusitania (123 American lives lost) he went against this and entered the USA into war in 1917.
Wilson’s progressive mindset included enforcing peace globally and making negotiations with other countries, materialising in Wilson’s ‘14 Points’ which he put forward during the making of the Treaty of Versailles.
Following WW1, Wilson wanted America to become a world superpower and take its place on the world stage, proving despite its youth as a country, the USA was a force to be reckoned with.
In 1915, following the assassination of its president, Wilson sent marines into Haiti in order to restore order and bring stability to the region.
State Wilson’s presidential ‘style’ and personality that he expressed during his presidency
Wilson’s beneficial qualities as an Executive include diligence, confidence, intelligence, ambition and determination.
Wilson was arguably ahead of his time, with his idealistic nature demonstrated in his ‘14 Points’ and desire for America to become a leading nation with the establishment of the League of Nations despite the USA never joining.
Additionally, Wilson pushed for the rights of women which lead to the passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920, proving how progressive he was as President.
State the years that Harding occupied the role of the President of the USA and the reason why he left office
First term: 1921-1923
Harding died suddenly in August 1923 aged 57 from a heart attack, shocking the nation who believed their Executive was far healthier than his predecessors. His final year in office was completed by his Vice President, Calvin Coolidge.
State the key events that occurred during Harding’s presidency
Prohibition Era (1920-1933)
Teapot Dome Scandal (1921-1923)
Emergency Quota Act (1921)
Washington Naval Conference (1921-1922)
State the reasons why Harding was elected and re-elected as President of the USA
Following Wilson’s dramatic change in foreign policy post-war and the economic downturn, there was massive backlash against the Democrat Party and a call for things to return to the way they were before WW1.
Wilson’s policies were also rejected upon revelations that the Democrat Party had associations with the KKK, a white supremacist group responsible for the horrific attacks on African-Americans mostly concentrated in the South.
Harding’s election campaign centred around a ‘Return to Normalcy’ for the American people, promising the resurgence of ‘laissez faire’ attitudes in the government that would ensure the country reverted back to its policies pre-war.
State Harding’s domestic policy during his presidency
One of Harding’s main concerns was balancing the deficit created by borrowing money to restore America’s economy.
Initially vetoed by Wilson but passed by Congress during his presidency, the Volstead Act of 1919 played a pivotal role during Harding’s time in office due to its contributions to the Prohibition Era whereby alcohol was not sold.
There was a large push to ‘Buy American’ during Harding’s presidency, demonstrating the agenda of isolationist America in the early 1920s.
Tariffs were also brought in during Harding’s presidency in the hope of keeping American industries secure in 1922.
Harding’s Secretary of the Treasury, Andrew Mellon, set to provide relief to the public by lowering the high taxes that were put in place during WW1, introducing the Revenue Act of 1921.
State Harding’s foreign policy during his presidency
Harding’s presidential campaign promised a return to the isolationist stance previously held by America, which the administration delivered by remaining largely separate to European affairs during the 1920s.
The Republican Party kept America out of the League of Nations (former President Wilson’s brainchild) in an attempt to appear morally superior to other countries.
The Emergency Quota Act was passed in May 1921 which made cuts in the number of immigrants permitted entry into America, marking the start of the ‘othering’ of individuals moving to America to start a new life during the 20th and 21st century.
American banks were used to substitute the British pound to make the American dollar as stable as the sterling.
State Harding’s presidential ‘style’ and personality that he expressed during his presidency
Harding had a good public image and was a skilled speaker with an abundance of charm, a friendly disposition and an engaging personality.
However, behind this good-natured persona, Harding drank heavily (which was public knowledge despite him supporting the Prohibition as a Senator), frequently smoked tobacco, played poker and engaged in extramarital affairs.
Harding’s administration fell victim to the first presidential scandal (Teapot Dome) as it was revealed that a government official was accepting bribes from oil companies in exchange for the right to drill for oil on federal land, shocking the public and the thought of the ‘finest minds in the country’ being capable of corruption and greed.
Harding was considered a political ‘Maverick’ and was distrusted by old-time Republicans due to his unconventional methods, such as opening the doors of the White House so that sections were open to the public and press conferences could be held.
State the years that Coolidge occupied the role of the President of the USA and the reason why he left office
Finished Harding’s final year in office (1923-1924)
First (elected) term: 1925-1929
Coolidge chose not to run for re-election after the death of his youngest son in 1924 and his father in 1926, along with the physical strain of the role as President.
State the key events that occurred during Coolidge’s presidency
Roaring ’20s (1920-1929)
Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)
State the reasons why Coolidge was elected and re-elected as President of the USA
Following the sudden death of Harding, Coolidge as Vice President completed his final year and won the 1924 election convincingly against John W. Davis.
The Democrats were considered an ‘unelectable opposition’ due to its links with white supremacist group the KKK, the Teapot Dome Scandal which stained Harding’s presidency and the disaster that was the 1924 Democrat National Convention, making a Republican win highly likely.
Coolidge’s campaign slogan was ‘Keep Cool with Coolidge’, exemplifying his desire to carry on the work of his predecessors and make very few changes as Executive.
