POTUS

Warren G. Harding: AP United States History Rundown

Overview

Warren G. Harding served as the 29th POTUS from 1921 until his death in 1923. His presidency is often remembered for its focus on domestic policy through a “Return to Normalcy” after Woodrow Wilson and World War I, as well as the scandals involving members of his cabinet.

Key Events and Associations

• Election of 1920: Harding, a Republicans|Republican Senator from Ohio, won the election on a platform of “Return to Normalcy”, promising a retreat from international affairs and a focus on domestic prosperity. The election reflected the nation’s weariness of war and the progressive fervor of the previous decades.
• “Ohio Gang”: Harding’s administration was plagued by corruption due to his appointment of friends and political allies, many from his home state of Ohio, to key positions. This group, known as the “Ohio Gang,” engaged in various illegal activities.
• Teapot Dome Scandal: The most infamous scandal of Harding’s presidency involved Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall, who accepted bribes in exchange for leasing government oil reserves at Teapot Dome, Wyoming, and Elk Hills, California, to private oil companies. Teapot Dome Scandal severely damaged Harding’s reputation, though he was not directly implicated.
• Washington Naval Conference (1921-1922): Harding convened this international conference to address naval arms race among the major world powers. The resulting treaties limited naval construction and helped maintain peace in the Pacific.
• Died in Office: Harding died suddenly of a heart attack in August 1923, while on a speaking tour in the West. Calvin Coolidge then became POTUS.

Important Legislation Signed

• Budget and Accounting Act of 1921: This act created the Bureau of the Budget (later the Office of Management and Budget) and the General Accounting Office (now the Government Accountability Office), providing a framework for a more systematic approach to federal budgeting.
• Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act of 1922: Increased tariff rates on imported goods to protect American industries. Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act of 1922 had the effect of hurting European economies and potentially damaged international trade.

Groups and Affiliations

• Republicans|Republican Party: Harding was a staunch Republicans|Republican and adhered to the party’s conservative principles.
• Freemasons: Harding was a member of the Freemasons, a fraternal organization.

Impact on the Country

• Economic Policies: Harding’s administration favored pro-business policies, including lower taxes and reduced government spending. This approach contributed to the economic prosperity of the early Roaring 20s.
• Rise of Isolationism: Harding’s “Return to Normalcy” reflected the growing sentiment of isolationism in the United States, as the nation sought to distance itself from European affairs.
• Damaged Reputation of the Presidency: The scandals that emerged during Harding’s administration, especially the Teapot Dome Scandal, severely tarnished the image of the presidency and eroded public trust in government.
• Progressive Rollback: Harding’s administration marked a partial rollback of the progressive reforms of the early 20th century. Harding’s focus was on domestic policy, and less on pushing for new reforms.

Summary

Harding’s presidency is a complex mix of positive and negative legacies. While his pro-business policies contributed to economic growth, the corruption and scandals that plagued his administration overshadowed his achievements and left a lasting stain on his reputation and the office of POTUS. Harding’s “Return to Normalcy” represented a shift in the national mood after World War I, but it also contributed to the rise of isolationism and a neglect of pressing social issues.