A Shift in Conservative Politics and Economics“The chief business of the American people is business.”

- Calvin Coolidge

Today’s Objective

After today’s lesson, students will be able to… Explain the shift in politics from Wilson to the 1920s

Essential Skill Explicitly assess information and draw conclusions

Review Questions

How would you describe the Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s?

What were the immigration policies of the 1920s and what kind of effect did they have?

What was the importance of the automobile? How did Henry Ford revolutionize industry? What was the effect of technology on housework? How did the consumer culture impact America?

Return of the Republicans

Unquestioned majority party Progressivism largely disappeared Faith in the ability of business to establish prosperity

and benefit all “Less government in business and more business in

government”

Viewed government as the partner of business, not the regulator

Advocated laissez-faire approach

Warren G. Harding

“A Return to Normalcy” Defeated James Cox in 1920 “Looked presidential”

Handsome, gray-haired, and outgoing

Little intellectual depth

Competent Cabinet Secretary of State – Charles E. Hughes

Secretary of Treasury – Andrew Mellon

Secretary of Commerce – Herbert Hoover

Plagued by Corruption

Appointed incompetent friends and political supporters to high-level jobs Charles Forbes (VA Dept.) swindled $200 million

Attorney General Harry Daugherty accepted bribes

Extramarital Affair? Nan Britton

The Ultimate Scandal

Albert Fall gained control of strategic oil reserves

“Leased” the property to private oilmen

Sentenced to 1 year in prison

Teapot Dome Scandal

Election of 1924

Calvin Coolidge

Stoic, frugal, “Silent Cal” Social issues “beyond the scope of

government” Return to laissez-faire (free market, free

operation) Prevented government from interfering in the

operation of business

“Those who build a factory, build a temple. Those who work in a factory, worship there”

Harding and Coolidge

What was the general attitude of Harding and Coolidge administration toward the economy?

How does this mark a change from the administration of Roosevelt?