republican leadership. learning objective: identify warren g. harding, calvin coolidge, herbert...
TRANSCRIPT
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.