Republican Leadership

Learning Objective:

• Identify Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Teapot Dome, “prophet of prosperity,” Andrew Mellon, Alfred E. Smith, Ohio Gang, Albert Fall, conservatism;

• Discuss and analyze nine political cartoons depicting main events in the Harding and Coolidge administrations and the election of Hoover;

Warren G. Harding in office:

• Appointed some bright people to cabinet positions, such as Charles Evan Hughes (S. of State), Herbert Hoover (Dep. Of Commerce), and Andrew Mellons (S. of Treasury)

• Also appointed some friends from Ohio -known as the Ohio Gang” - corrupt, wanted personal gain

Teapot Dome Scandal (Teapot Dome, WY)

• Albert Fall (S. of the Interior) secretly leased wilderness areas to oil companies; blew up and public found out about the deal

• Convicted of accepting a bribe and spent time in jail

Calvin Coolidge as President:

• Took over in Aug. 1923 after Harding died• Hired a new attorney general, Harlan Fiske

Stone - job was to weed out the Ohio Gang• Great faith in American business; felt the

U.S. should be guided by business principles• Basic beliefs in office: Laissez-Faire policy

towards business (hands-off approach)• NOT EVERYONE PROSPERED; FARMERS

AND UNIONIZED WORKERS DID NOT **

Election of 1928

• Herbert Hoover: nominated the Republican candidate– Believed in “rugged individualism” -

individual work and diligence can accomplish anything

– Conservative, pro-business, Protestant

Election of 1928

• Alfred E. Smith - (D) Candidate– Pro public health, workers’ compensation, civil

liberties, gov.’t control of some industries, Catholic

• Hoover won easily - took 40 of 48 states - “continuation of prosperity”

• 6 mo. After Hoover took office, stock market collapsed, start of the “Great Depression”

WIO: Republican Leadership

• Select two problems/issues of the 1920s, and draw a symbol for each. Then explain how the Republican leadership dealt with the issues.