The Presidency of Warren G. Harding

Concept Map

Warren G. Harding's presidency from 1921 to 1923 focused on a 'return to normalcy,' pro-business economic policies, and efforts to reduce government intervention. His administration implemented the 1921 Budget and Accounting Act, endorsed protective tariffs for agriculture, and pursued isolationist foreign policies with disarmament initiatives. However, Harding's term was marred by the infamous Teapot Dome scandal and other controversies, which overshadowed his policy achievements and complicated his historical legacy.

Summary

Outline

The Presidency of Warren G. Harding

Early Life and Political Career

Childhood and Education

Warren G. Harding was born in Corsica, Ohio and received a basic education before becoming a newspaper publisher

State and National Politics

Ohio State Senate

Harding served in the Ohio State Senate before being elected as a U.S. Senator

U.S. Senate

Harding's time in the U.S. Senate helped prepare him for his presidential campaign

Presidential Campaign

Harding's campaign focused on a "return to normalcy" and utilized modern advertising and direct appeals to voters

Presidency and Policies

Economic Policies

Harding's administration favored pro-business policies and implemented reforms such as the 1921 Budget and Accounting Act and tax cuts

Agricultural Policies

Protective Tariffs

Harding supported protective tariffs to aid struggling American farmers

Capper-Volstead Act

The Capper-Volstead Act allowed for the formation of agricultural cooperatives

Social Policies

Harding's administration passed the Emergency Quota Act of 1921, which established immigration quotas and reflected nativist attitudes

Foreign Policy

Isolationism and Disarmament

Harding's foreign policy aimed to avoid entanglements in world affairs and engaged in significant disarmament efforts

Washington Naval Conference

Five-Power Treaty

The Five-Power Treaty limited naval construction among major powers

Nine-Power Treaty

The Nine-Power Treaty sought to preserve China's sovereignty and ensure open trade

Legacy and Scandals

Teapot Dome Scandal

The Teapot Dome scandal, involving the illegal leasing of federal oil reserves, overshadowed Harding's presidency and led to the imprisonment of a Cabinet member

Personal Misconduct

Extramarital Affairs

Harding's personal life was marred by allegations of extramarital affairs

Prohibition Violations

Harding's administration was plagued by allegations of violating Prohibition laws

Complex Legacy

Despite some policy successes, Harding's presidency is often viewed negatively due to the scandals that emerged after his death

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The ______ President of the United States, Warren G. Harding, was in office from March 4, 1921, until his demise on August 2, ______.

29th

1923

Before entering politics, Warren G. Harding was a newspaper publisher in ______, where he was born on November 2, ______.

Corsica, Ohio

1865

Harding's early political career

Served in Ohio State Senate and as U.S. Senator before presidency.

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Economic and Fiscal Policies of the Harding Administration

President Harding inherited an economy in recession and a federal budget that had ballooned during World War I. His administration's economic policies favored business interests and sought to reduce government intervention in the economy. The 1921 Budget and Accounting Act was a landmark reform that established the Bureau of the Budget and the General Accounting Office (now the Government Accountability Office), enhancing fiscal responsibility and oversight. These reforms, along with tax cuts enacted during his tenure, helped to reduce federal debt and were credited with contributing to the economic growth of the 1920s.

Harding's Agricultural and Social Policies

The Harding administration faced the challenge of supporting American farmers who were struggling with falling prices due to overproduction and reduced European demand after the war. Although Harding was against direct government intervention in purchasing surplus crops, he endorsed protective tariffs, such as the Emergency Tariff of 1921 and the Fordney-McCumber Tariff of 1922, to shield domestic agriculture. The Capper-Volstead Act of 1922 also allowed agricultural cooperatives to form without violating antitrust laws. In terms of social policy, the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 was passed, establishing immigration quotas that favored certain nationalities, reflecting the nativist attitudes prevalent at the time.

Foreign Policy and Disarmament Efforts

Harding's foreign policy aimed to foster international peace and avoid the entanglements of World War I. While the administration's approach was generally isolationist, it also engaged in significant disarmament efforts. The Washington Naval Conference of 1921-1922 led to the Five-Power Treaty, which limited naval construction among the world's major naval powers, and the Nine-Power Treaty, which sought to preserve China's sovereignty and ensure open trade. Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes played a key role in these negotiations, reflecting the administration's balance between isolationism and selective engagement in world affairs.

Scandals and the Harding Administration's Legacy

The legacy of President Harding's administration is heavily influenced by the scandals that came to light after his death. The Teapot Dome scandal was the most notorious, involving the illegal leasing of federal oil reserves by Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall, who became the first Cabinet member to be imprisoned for crimes committed in office. Other scandals and allegations of Harding's personal misconduct, including extramarital affairs and violations of Prohibition, have contributed to a negative historical assessment of his presidency. Despite some policy successes, these scandals have dominated the narrative of Harding's time in office, leading to a complex and often critical legacy.

The Presidency of Warren G. Harding

Concept Map

Summary

Outline

The Presidency of Warren G. Harding

Early Life and Political Career

Childhood and Education

State and National Politics

Presidential Campaign

Presidency and Policies

Economic Policies

Agricultural Policies

Social Policies

Foreign Policy

Isolationism and Disarmament

Washington Naval Conference

Legacy and Scandals

Teapot Dome Scandal

Personal Misconduct

Complex Legacy

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Q&A

Here's a list of frequently asked questions on this topic

What were the main outcomes of Warren G. Harding's presidency?

How did Warren G. Harding secure his presidential win in 1920?

What fiscal reforms did President Harding implement to address the post-war economy?

How did President Harding address the agricultural sector's post-war challenges?

What was the focus of Harding's foreign policy and disarmament efforts?

What impact did the scandals have on President Harding's historical reputation?

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