Warren G. Harding's Presidency and Its Impact on the United States

Concept Map

Warren G. Harding's presidency in the 1920s marked a shift towards pro-business policies, deregulation, and economic growth in the U.S. His administration focused on stimulating the economy, reducing government intervention, and supporting technological innovation. Harding's foreign policy favored isolationism, concluding World War I involvement and reassessing Latin American engagements. Despite achievements in disarmament and tax reforms, his tenure was marred by the Teapot Dome scandal.

Summary

Outline

Warren G. Harding's Presidency and Its Impact on the United States

Pro-Business Policies

Deregulation and Economic Growth

Harding's presidency favored a pro-business approach that aimed to stimulate economic growth and reduce government intervention in the economy

Infrastructure Development

Federal Highway Act of 1921

The Federal Highway Act of 1921 provided federal funding for road construction, which supported the expansion of the automobile industry

Tax Reforms

Harding enacted tax reforms, including lowering income tax rates and eliminating the excess profits tax, to combat the post-war economic slump

Foreign Policy

Isolationism

Harding's policies reflected a growing sentiment of isolationism, focusing on America's internal affairs and economic recovery

End of World War I

Knox-Porter Resolution

Harding's administration passed the Knox-Porter Resolution, officially ending U.S. involvement in World War I and rejecting the League of Nations

Latin America

Reduction of U.S. Military Presence

Harding reduced the U.S. military presence in Latin America, although maintaining involvement in strategic countries like Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic

Thomson-Urrutia Treaty

Harding's administration signed the Thomson-Urrutia Treaty with Colombia, seeking to mend relations after the U.S. involvement in Panama's separation from Colombia

Accomplishments and Scandals

Accomplishments

Tax Reforms

Harding's administration enacted tax reforms, including lowering income tax rates and eliminating the excess profits tax, to combat the post-war economic slump

Infrastructure Projects

Harding's administration recognized the transformative potential of new technologies and provided federal funding for road construction to support the expansion of the automobile industry

Labor Relations Improvements

Harding's administration saw improvements in labor relations, including the appointment of four Supreme Court Justices

Scandals

Teapot Dome Affair

The Teapot Dome affair, involving the secret leasing of federal oil reserves, led to the first conviction of a U.S. cabinet official for a felony

Want to create maps from your material?

Enter text, upload a photo, or audio to Algor. In a few seconds, Algorino will transform it into a conceptual map, summary, and much more!

Learn with Algor Education flashcards

Click on each card to learn more about the topic

Harding's stance on government-business relations

Favored deregulation and pro-business policies, moving away from Progressive Era's regulatory approach.

Harding's victory margin in the 1920 presidential election

Won over 60% of the popular vote, indicating a landslide victory.

Republican Ascendancy's time frame

Began with Harding's presidency in the 1920s, continued until the onset of the Great Depression.

Q&A

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

Similar Contents

Explore other maps on similar topics

Guillotine on a wooden platform with a hay-filled basket beneath, surrounded by a faceless crowd, against a backdrop of 18th-century Parisian skyline under a gray sky.

The Reign of Terror during the French Revolution

Late 18th-century French military officer stands with hand in coat beside a table in an ornate room, surrounded by uniformed and civilian figures.

The Coup of 18 Brumaire: A Turning Point in French History

French and British soldiers clash in a Peninsular War battle, with muskets firing and bayonets thrusting amidst a smoke-filled, hilly backdrop.

The Peninsular War and Napoleon's Downfall

Can't find what you were looking for?

Search for a topic by entering a phrase or keyword

Concluding World War I and Reducing Military Expenditures

One of President Harding's initial foreign policy actions was to formally end U.S. involvement in World War I. Rejecting the League of Nations, Harding's administration passed the Knox-Porter Resolution, which officially terminated hostilities with the Central Powers. Separate peace treaties with Germany, Austria, and Hungary followed. Domestically, Harding sought to reduce military expenditures, advocating for a return to pre-war levels of military funding and personnel. This reduction in the military was part of a broader effort to achieve fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget.

Reassessing U.S. Involvement in Latin America

The Harding administration also reevaluated the United States' military engagements in Latin America. Harding reduced the U.S. military presence in the region, although he maintained some level of involvement in countries like Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic for strategic reasons. The withdrawal of troops from Cuba in 1921 and the signing of the Thomson-Urrutia Treaty with Colombia, which sought to mend relations after the U.S. involvement in Panama's separation from Colombia, were indicative of Harding's more conciliatory approach toward Latin American nations.

Economic Reforms and Support for Technological Innovation

To combat the post-war economic slump, President Harding enacted several tax reforms, including lowering income tax rates and eliminating the excess profits tax. His administration also recognized the transformative potential of new technologies, such as the automobile, radio, and aviation. The Federal Highway Act of 1921, for example, provided federal funding for road construction, which facilitated the expansion of the automobile industry. Although Harding's efforts to regulate radio and aviation were not fully realized during his presidency, they set the stage for future legislative developments in these areas.

Achievements and Scandals of the Harding Administration

President Harding's tenure was marked by both accomplishments and scandals. The most notorious scandal was the Teapot Dome affair, which involved the secret leasing of federal oil reserves and led to the first conviction of a U.S. cabinet official for a felony. Despite these controversies, Harding's presidency saw notable achievements, including disarmament efforts, tax reforms, infrastructure projects, labor relations improvements, and the appointment of four Supreme Court Justices. These actions helped define the Republican policy agenda of the 1920s.

The Impact of Harding's Presidential Legacy

Warren G. Harding's presidency set the stage for a decade of Republican governance that favored a laissez-faire approach to economic policy and a retreat from international engagement. His policies contributed to the era's isolationist tendencies and influenced his successors, Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover. The Republican ascendancy, however, came to an abrupt end with the stock market crash of 1929, which ushered in the Great Depression and led to the election of Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. Harding's presidency, though short-lived and not without its controversies, played a significant role in shaping the political and economic contours of the 1920s.

Warren G. Harding's Presidency and Its Impact on the United States

Concept Map

Summary

Outline

Warren G. Harding's Presidency and Its Impact on the United States