Unit 5 Lesson 1 Flashcards
When the war ended, more than 2 million soldiers came home and began to look for jobs. At the same time, factories stopped turning out war materials. This lead to what?
The result was a sharp recession, or economic slump.
How did recession make voters feel about the democrats, and which candiate were they leading towards?
The recession fed voter discontent with the Democrats, who had held power for eight years. In the 1920 election, Warren Harding swamped his Democratic opponent.
What kind of people did Warren Harding hire for Cabinet posts?
For the top Cabinet posts, Harding chose able men who strongly followed pro-business policies.
Who was Andrew Mellon? Who was he hired by?
He was hired by President Warden Hardling
Andrew Mellon, a wealthy banker, became secretary of the treasury. Mellon balanced the budget and lowered taxes.
Who was Herbert Hoover? What did he during during World War I?
During World War I, Hoover had earned the world’s admiration by organizing efforts to supply food to millions of starving Belgians. As secretary of commerce, he worked to help American businesses expand overseas.
What was Herbert’s new job?
Herbert Hoover became the new secretary of commerce.
Who was the Ohio Gang?
To fill most other Cabinet posts, however, Harding brought in his old friends. They became known as the Ohio Gang. Harding himself was honest and hard-working, but the Ohio Gang saw government service as a way to enrich themselves. A series of scandals resulted
Describe the scandal from the Ohio Gang relating to the Veteran Bureau, and who Charles Forbes?
Harding made Charles Forbes head of the Veterans Bureau. Forbes was later convicted of stealing millions of dollars from the bureau.
How did Harding react to these scandals?
Harding looked upon Forbes’s crime as a betrayal. When rumors of new scandals surfaced, he grew even more distressed. In August 1923, Harding died of a heart attack. Many believed that the scandals contributed to his sudden death.
What was the Teapot Dome Scandal? Who was involved? Albert Fall was the first person do go to..??
After Harding died, new scandals came to light. The most serious involved Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall. Two oil executives had bribed Fall. In return, he secretly leased them government land in California and at Teapot Dome, Wyoming. As a result of the Teapot Dome Scandal, Fall became the first Cabinet official ever sent to prison.
How was Coolidge as a person different from Harding?
“Silent Cal” Coolidge was very different from Harding.
- Harding loved throwing parties and making long speeches.
- Coolidge was tight with both money and words
What was the first thing Coolidge did as president?
Coolidge set out to repair the damage caused by the scandals. He forced the officials involved in scandals to resign.
How did the election of 1924 go? Who won?
In 1924, Coolidge ran against Democrat John Davis and Progressive Robert La Follette. Voters chose to “Keep Cool With Coolidge” and returned the cautious New Englander to office.
How was Coolidge similar to Harding?
Like Harding, Coolidge believed that prosperity for all Americans depended on business prosperity. Coolidge cut regulations on business. He also named business leaders to head government agencies.
Coolidge’s pro-business policies influnced what?
Coolidge’s pro-business policies contributed to a period of rapid economic growth. People referred to this boom as “Coolidge prosperity.”
