Desire for Normality
Warren G. Harding and his running mate Calvin Coolidge were both running for the presidential election of 1920. Normalcy was what Warren G. Harding was promising in his campaign, referring to an end of foreign involvement and domestic turmoil. They eventually won in a landslide victory for the Republican party against the Democratic candidate James Cox and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. President Harding gave political supporters, "The Ohio-Gang", jobs in the government. Many members of the "The Ohio-Gang" were not qualified for the jobs that were given to them making Americans extremely mad. This was known as a huge scandal and the biggest of which involved Albert Fall, secretary of the interior.The scandal was that Albert leased government oil reserves to two major oil companies without any other person's consent. In exchange for this transaction, Fall was given $400,000 dollars for personal use. Albert, being accused of bribery, was the first American cabinet member to go to jail. Harding had nothing to do with this scandal, but he became more to blame as word spread about the incident. During the summer of 1923, Harding had a heart attack and died before the full rumors were spread. He was not able to defend himself and the rumors were still growing. Because of his death, America needed a new, temporary president until his term officially ended, and they looked toward Harding's running mate Calvin Coolidge.
Coolidge was in many ways the exact opposite of Harding. One thing very different was that he was quiet, unlike loud and outgoing Harding, He loved to meet people and interact with them. Coolidge gained the nickname "Silent Cal".The government at this time was Republican and cut spending, lowered income tax rates on wealthy American citizens and business corporations, raised tariffs to protect buisness, and womens wages. Though opposite to Harding, Americans seemed to like Calvin Coolidge and during that short term was able to impress them and soon he went out for a second term.Calvin Coolidge won his second term election by a landslide victory of 54% of the popular vote and this election was very important because it was the first time women were given right to vote. Harding and Coolidge both wanted world peace but did not want to be allied with other nations. Harding, in his campaign, promised people that this would never happen and preserved this policy of isolationism. The Harding administration made a tremendous effort to preserve and promote peace among nations. After the war the United States, Japan, and Britian signed the Five-Power Treaty along with Italy and France. This was used to limit the power and size of the nations' navies. This was the first time that world powers agreed to disarm. In the early 1900's, America got involved with Latin America several times. By 1920, relations with Mexico were tense because America had troops stationed in many Mexican territories. After the Dominican Republic and Nicaragura held elections, America withdrew its troops. Coolidge chose not to send more troops into Mexico and make a peaceful agreement with Mexico.
Coolidge was in many ways the exact opposite of Harding. One thing very different was that he was quiet, unlike loud and outgoing Harding, He loved to meet people and interact with them. Coolidge gained the nickname "Silent Cal".The government at this time was Republican and cut spending, lowered income tax rates on wealthy American citizens and business corporations, raised tariffs to protect buisness, and womens wages. Though opposite to Harding, Americans seemed to like Calvin Coolidge and during that short term was able to impress them and soon he went out for a second term.Calvin Coolidge won his second term election by a landslide victory of 54% of the popular vote and this election was very important because it was the first time women were given right to vote. Harding and Coolidge both wanted world peace but did not want to be allied with other nations. Harding, in his campaign, promised people that this would never happen and preserved this policy of isolationism. The Harding administration made a tremendous effort to preserve and promote peace among nations. After the war the United States, Japan, and Britian signed the Five-Power Treaty along with Italy and France. This was used to limit the power and size of the nations' navies. This was the first time that world powers agreed to disarm. In the early 1900's, America got involved with Latin America several times. By 1920, relations with Mexico were tense because America had troops stationed in many Mexican territories. After the Dominican Republic and Nicaragura held elections, America withdrew its troops. Coolidge chose not to send more troops into Mexico and make a peaceful agreement with Mexico.