Warren G Harding Flashcards
What were the results of the 1920 Presidential Election?
Harding: 404 EC, 37 States, 16.1 Million votes, 60.4% vote.
Cox: 127 EC, 11 States, 9.1 Million votes, 34.1% vote.
What had unemployment risen to by 1921?
Unemployment had risen from 950k to 5 Million.
What was the Key aspect of Harding’s campaign and what does it mean?
The Key aspect was a return to Normalcy in which the US would return to its Pre War Isolationist State.
What was Harding’s Economic Policy?
Balance the deficit and reduce the Taxation which was made high due to the war. Impose Tariffs to protect trade and industry. Harding believed in Laissez Faire economics - Less Government in Business and more Business in Government. Provide Nationwide Radio.
What did the Volstead Act of 1919 do?
Prohibited the Manufacture, Sale and Production of alcohol.
What did Harding do in regards to Isolationism?
He stated that he wanted no part in “directing the destinies of the world”.
The US remained outside of the League of Nations. Emergency Quota act May 1921.
When did Warren G Harding die?
2nd August 1923.
What was the Teapot Dome scandal?
Harding had been leasing Navy petroleum to private companies at low prices without competitive bidding. Fall who was a member of his cabinet was found guilty of accepting bribes.
What was the return to normalcy?
He defined it as a stable, steady way of life. He wanted the focus to shift back onto the USA again which he would do through lowering taxes and tariffs as well as looking after the worst off in society.
What are the key tenants of Isolationism?
He believed that the US should not join the League of Nations, shouldn’t set up colonies as well as significantly reduce immigration. He was not opposed to supporting and dealing with other countries he just didn’t want to get entangled in their affairs.
What were people’s views on Harding’s actions in government?
They respected his laid back approach with him drafting almost no bills and also giving big business lots of room to operate without any kind of government intervention in wages and ours for example. However, many saw his administration as corrupt as some people exploited his laissez faire attitude.
