Chapter 32: Identifications & Guided Reading Questions
Andrew Mellon
During the Harding Administration Andrew Mellon was the Secretary of the Treasury and wanted to invest in tax-exempt securities rather than in payrolls
Herbert Hoover
Republican and former president who ran in the election on prosperity and prohibition. Many people blamed him for the stock market crash and the start of the Great Depression
Albert B. Fall
Secretary of the Interior during Harding’s Administration; he was a schemer and convicted after participating in the Teapot Dome Scandal
Robert LaFollette
Senator from Wisconson who ran for President as a nominee for the Progressive Party but lost to Calvin Coolige
Alfred E. Smith
Democratic nominee for the 1928 election that lost to Herbert Hoover who advocated prohibition while Smith was known for drinking
Ohio Gang
Consisted of a group of people who were close friends of Harding. They were appointed offices in which they abused their power for their own benefit
Washington Conference
Meeting of the greatest world powers at the time. Called for the disarment of the major powers and reducd the number of battleships
Kellogg-Briand Pact
Promised to never make war again and to settle disputes in a peaceful manner; defensive wars were allowed
Fordney-McCumber Tariff Law
Raised taxes to an unreasonable amount: as much as 38.5%. Created in an attempt to equalize the prices between foreign markets and American markets
Teapot Dome Scandal
One of the many scandals that occurred during Harding’s administration. One of Harding’s cabinet members bought an area with rich oil reserves and bribed people to take it at a higher price.
Dawes Plan
Attempt to pay off the damages from World War I. It had America loan Germany the money that would be paid to France and Britian who would then repay America.
Hawley-Smoot Tariff
Began as a protective measure to assist farmers, but became the highest protective tariff in the nation's history
Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)
Government lending bank created to provide indirect assistance to insurance companies, banks, and railroads
Bonus Army
Group of World War I veterans who were greatly affected economically by the Great Depression and demanded what the government owed them due to their services
Hoover-Stimson doctrine
Stated that the United States wouldn’t recognize any territorial acquisitions taken by force
The Republican "Old Guard" Returns
Know: Warren Harding, Ohio Gang
1. What flaws did Warren Harding possess?
Warren Harding possessed many flaws, such as not begin able to sense moral halitosis in his corrupt associates. He hated to hurt people’s feelings, especially those of his friends and due to his poor leadership, so his associates often took advantage of him.
GOP Reaction at the Throttle
2. What pro-business policies were taken by the government during the Harding administration.
There were a lot of pro-business policies enforced during the Harding administration. Harding brought back laissez-faire policy of letting businesses run wild and free and put everything else e.g. progressive movements like the abolition of child labor and special protection for women.
The Aftermath of War
Know: Railway Labor Board, American Legion, Adjusted Compensation Act
3. What effects did the war have on the post-war economy?
The war negatively impacted the economy everywhere, causing a sort of post-war recession. The War Industries Board was dissolved and because of laissez-faire, businesses ran free. The labor movement struggled and World War I veterans began protesting for benefits or wages due to their service to their country.
America Seeks Benefits Without Burdens
Know: Unofficial Observers, Charles Evans Hughes, Five-Power Naval Treaty, Four-Power Treaty, Nine-Power Treaty, Kellogg-Briand Pact
4. How did the U.S. take the lead in disarmament in the 20's?
The U.S. was not officially part of the United Nations, but there were ‘unofficial observers’ who simply watched over the league. Because the U.S. was not directly involved, ‘unofficial observers’ led to the destruction of the League of Nations. They began the disarmament conference which reduced the amount of ships and arms for all of the countries.
Hiking the Tariff Higher
Know: Fordney-McCumber Tariff Law
5. What effects were produced by high American tariffs?
Businesses wanted a higher tariff on Europeans and the Fordney-McCumber Tariff gave them just that. It increased tariffs to 38.5%. There was a problem however, Europe needed to pay the United States back through exports but the tariff stop the exports, and as a result the WWI reparations were not paid back.
The Stench of Scandal
Know: Charles R. Forbes, Albert B. Fall, Teapot Dome, Harry M. Daugherty
6. "Such was his [Harding's] weakness that he tolerated people and conditions that subjected the Republic to its worst disgrace since the days of President Grant." Explain
Harding was a good man at heart but his kind nature was his greatest weakness. He failed to see that his administration was full of corrupt people; thus, during his presidency many scandals took place such as the Teapot Dome Scandal.
“Silent Cal” Coolidge
Know: Calvin Coolidge
7. Do the nicknames, "Silent Cal" and "Cautious Cal" accurately describe the Coolidge presidency?
Yes, the nicknames “Silent Cal” accurately describe Coolidge himself. It was ironic how ever that such a man of little words led the United States during one of its most prosperous times. He was taciturn and, unlike most politicians, hardly said much at all.
Frustrated Farmers
Know: McNary-Haugen Bill
8. What had changed for the farmer since 1890? What had remained the same?
During World War I farmers enjoyed a boom in commerce since much food was needed due to the war efforts, farmers provided food and earned a good amount of money in the process. Many new inventions were created that helped make farm work easier but during the 20’s farmers fell into tough times.
A Three-Way Race for the White House in 1924
Know: Robert La Follette
9. Why did Calvin Coolidge easily win the 1924 election?
Calvin Coolidge easily won the 1924 election because the Democrats had a hard time defining their positions and themselves at a New York City Convention. Since times were good, Coolidge was reelected.
Foreign-Policy Flounderings
10. What are the arguments for America canceling the WWI debt of European countries?
The arguments for America canceling the World War I debt of European countries that Germany should deserve to pay its own debt. Coolidge saw that the situation for Germany was hopeless as Germany was out of money and was suffering from inflation, which made the newly printed marks worthless.
Unraveling the Debt Knot
Know: Dawes Plan
11. What were the world-wide repercussions of America’s insistence on debt repayment?
The world wide repercussions for America’s insistence on debt repayment were that Britain and France pay their debts to the U.S. so instead they put pressure onto Germany who could not pay. Charles Dawes came up with the Dawes plan, which stated that America would loan money to Germany who would then make payments to Britain and France who would then pay America.
The Triumph of Herbert Hoover, 1928
Know: Al Smith, "Rum, Romanism, and Ruin"
12. Why was Herbert Hoover so much more popular with voters than Al Smith?
Herbert Hoover was a lot more popular with votes than Al Smith because he spoke of Rugged Individualism, which was that America became great by self-sufficient and strong individuals and that those people were still needed in America. Smith also had a drinking problem, which was looked down upon during the prohibition days. Hoover also sounded better on the radio than Smith did.
President Hoover's First Moves
Know: Farm Board, Hawley-Smoot Tariff
13. Did Hoover’s attempts to help farmers produce positive results? Explain.
Herbert Hoover’s attempts to help farmers produce positive results somewhat benefited the farmers. He stet up a Federal Farm board, which lent money to farmers and started the Cotton Stabilization Corporation. However the Hawley-Smoot Tariff had a lot of negative effects, which lowered tariffs, slowed trade and moved America towards isolationism, which would allow Hitler to rise to power.
The Great Crash Ends the Golden Twenties
Know: Black Tuesday, "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?"
14. What were the immediate effects of the stock market crash?
The immediate effect of the stock market crash were that the sell-off had begun and prices plummet, causing stock holders to loose $40 billion in value. Business began to go out of business, unemployment skyrocketed, and over 5 thousands bands went bankrupt because people withdrew their money.
Hooked on the Horn of Plenty
Know: Hoover Blankets, Hoovervilles
15. What causes contributed to the Great Depression?
The causes that contributed to the Great Depression were the huge stock market crash, over speculation in stock instead of land, this time around, and over production. American consumerism and production had over extended itself and over reached the consumers’ ability to use real money to buy things.
Rugged Times for Rugged Individualists
Know: Rugged Individualism, The Great Humanitarian
16. How did President Hoover’s beliefs affect the way he handled the Depression?
President Hoover’s beliefs affected the way he handled the Depression in that he took the blame, which did nothing to help him. His rugged individualism made him slow to take government action and he believed that the Depression was a natural part of the business cycle. He came to the conclusion to just wait it out.
Hoover Battles the Great Depression
Know: Muscle Shoals Bill, Reconstruction Finance Corporation, Pump-Priming, Yellow Dog Contracts
17. Is Hoover’s reputation as ultra-conservative well deserved? Explain.
Hoover’s reputation as ultra-conservative is not well deserved due the environment around him, which caused him to let the government take action and went against his nature. He tried to jump start the economy through government spending and passed the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to lend money to finance FDR’s New deal projects.
Routing the Bonus Army in Washington
Know: Bonus Expeditionary Force, Douglas MacArthur
18. What happened to the Bonus Army? Why?
The Bonus Army was a group of World War I veterans who wanted bonuses for saving the world for democracy and the Bonus Expeditionary Force was created and consisted of people who set up camp in Washington to demand their bonuses. Riots emerged in the confusion and the Army was needed to carry out the eviction.
Japanese Militarists Attack China
Know: Manchuria, Stimson Doctrine
19. How did the Japanese attack on Manchuria demonstrate the weakness of the League of Nations?
The Japanese attack on Manchuria demonstrated the League of Nation’s weakness because people were shocked to discover that the Kellogg-Briand Pact, which outlawed war, was being violated. It showed that the League of Nations didn’t do anything and couldn’t do anything. It taught a lesson however that weaker nations could be taken over by aggressive ones and that although free nations would complain; no action would be taken to stop the aggressive nations.
Hoover Pioneers the Good Neighbor Policy
20. What was President Hoover’s policy toward Latin America
President Hoover’s policy towards Latin America was one of friendship. After the U.S-Latin American relations had been ruined, Hoover desired to change that into friendship. American troops were pulled out of Nicaragua and Haiti which laid the foundation for the “Good Neighbor” policy.
During the Harding Administration Andrew Mellon was the Secretary of the Treasury and wanted to invest in tax-exempt securities rather than in payrolls
Herbert Hoover
Republican and former president who ran in the election on prosperity and prohibition. Many people blamed him for the stock market crash and the start of the Great Depression
Albert B. Fall
Secretary of the Interior during Harding’s Administration; he was a schemer and convicted after participating in the Teapot Dome Scandal
Robert LaFollette
Senator from Wisconson who ran for President as a nominee for the Progressive Party but lost to Calvin Coolige
Alfred E. Smith
Democratic nominee for the 1928 election that lost to Herbert Hoover who advocated prohibition while Smith was known for drinking
Ohio Gang
Consisted of a group of people who were close friends of Harding. They were appointed offices in which they abused their power for their own benefit
Washington Conference
Meeting of the greatest world powers at the time. Called for the disarment of the major powers and reducd the number of battleships
Kellogg-Briand Pact
Promised to never make war again and to settle disputes in a peaceful manner; defensive wars were allowed
Fordney-McCumber Tariff Law
Raised taxes to an unreasonable amount: as much as 38.5%. Created in an attempt to equalize the prices between foreign markets and American markets
Teapot Dome Scandal
One of the many scandals that occurred during Harding’s administration. One of Harding’s cabinet members bought an area with rich oil reserves and bribed people to take it at a higher price.
Dawes Plan
Attempt to pay off the damages from World War I. It had America loan Germany the money that would be paid to France and Britian who would then repay America.
Hawley-Smoot Tariff
Began as a protective measure to assist farmers, but became the highest protective tariff in the nation's history
Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)
Government lending bank created to provide indirect assistance to insurance companies, banks, and railroads
Bonus Army
Group of World War I veterans who were greatly affected economically by the Great Depression and demanded what the government owed them due to their services
Hoover-Stimson doctrine
Stated that the United States wouldn’t recognize any territorial acquisitions taken by force
The Republican "Old Guard" Returns
Know: Warren Harding, Ohio Gang
1. What flaws did Warren Harding possess?
Warren Harding possessed many flaws, such as not begin able to sense moral halitosis in his corrupt associates. He hated to hurt people’s feelings, especially those of his friends and due to his poor leadership, so his associates often took advantage of him.
GOP Reaction at the Throttle
2. What pro-business policies were taken by the government during the Harding administration.
There were a lot of pro-business policies enforced during the Harding administration. Harding brought back laissez-faire policy of letting businesses run wild and free and put everything else e.g. progressive movements like the abolition of child labor and special protection for women.
The Aftermath of War
Know: Railway Labor Board, American Legion, Adjusted Compensation Act
3. What effects did the war have on the post-war economy?
The war negatively impacted the economy everywhere, causing a sort of post-war recession. The War Industries Board was dissolved and because of laissez-faire, businesses ran free. The labor movement struggled and World War I veterans began protesting for benefits or wages due to their service to their country.
America Seeks Benefits Without Burdens
Know: Unofficial Observers, Charles Evans Hughes, Five-Power Naval Treaty, Four-Power Treaty, Nine-Power Treaty, Kellogg-Briand Pact
4. How did the U.S. take the lead in disarmament in the 20's?
The U.S. was not officially part of the United Nations, but there were ‘unofficial observers’ who simply watched over the league. Because the U.S. was not directly involved, ‘unofficial observers’ led to the destruction of the League of Nations. They began the disarmament conference which reduced the amount of ships and arms for all of the countries.
Hiking the Tariff Higher
Know: Fordney-McCumber Tariff Law
5. What effects were produced by high American tariffs?
Businesses wanted a higher tariff on Europeans and the Fordney-McCumber Tariff gave them just that. It increased tariffs to 38.5%. There was a problem however, Europe needed to pay the United States back through exports but the tariff stop the exports, and as a result the WWI reparations were not paid back.
The Stench of Scandal
Know: Charles R. Forbes, Albert B. Fall, Teapot Dome, Harry M. Daugherty
6. "Such was his [Harding's] weakness that he tolerated people and conditions that subjected the Republic to its worst disgrace since the days of President Grant." Explain
Harding was a good man at heart but his kind nature was his greatest weakness. He failed to see that his administration was full of corrupt people; thus, during his presidency many scandals took place such as the Teapot Dome Scandal.
“Silent Cal” Coolidge
Know: Calvin Coolidge
7. Do the nicknames, "Silent Cal" and "Cautious Cal" accurately describe the Coolidge presidency?
Yes, the nicknames “Silent Cal” accurately describe Coolidge himself. It was ironic how ever that such a man of little words led the United States during one of its most prosperous times. He was taciturn and, unlike most politicians, hardly said much at all.
Frustrated Farmers
Know: McNary-Haugen Bill
8. What had changed for the farmer since 1890? What had remained the same?
During World War I farmers enjoyed a boom in commerce since much food was needed due to the war efforts, farmers provided food and earned a good amount of money in the process. Many new inventions were created that helped make farm work easier but during the 20’s farmers fell into tough times.
A Three-Way Race for the White House in 1924
Know: Robert La Follette
9. Why did Calvin Coolidge easily win the 1924 election?
Calvin Coolidge easily won the 1924 election because the Democrats had a hard time defining their positions and themselves at a New York City Convention. Since times were good, Coolidge was reelected.
Foreign-Policy Flounderings
10. What are the arguments for America canceling the WWI debt of European countries?
The arguments for America canceling the World War I debt of European countries that Germany should deserve to pay its own debt. Coolidge saw that the situation for Germany was hopeless as Germany was out of money and was suffering from inflation, which made the newly printed marks worthless.
Unraveling the Debt Knot
Know: Dawes Plan
11. What were the world-wide repercussions of America’s insistence on debt repayment?
The world wide repercussions for America’s insistence on debt repayment were that Britain and France pay their debts to the U.S. so instead they put pressure onto Germany who could not pay. Charles Dawes came up with the Dawes plan, which stated that America would loan money to Germany who would then make payments to Britain and France who would then pay America.
The Triumph of Herbert Hoover, 1928
Know: Al Smith, "Rum, Romanism, and Ruin"
12. Why was Herbert Hoover so much more popular with voters than Al Smith?
Herbert Hoover was a lot more popular with votes than Al Smith because he spoke of Rugged Individualism, which was that America became great by self-sufficient and strong individuals and that those people were still needed in America. Smith also had a drinking problem, which was looked down upon during the prohibition days. Hoover also sounded better on the radio than Smith did.
President Hoover's First Moves
Know: Farm Board, Hawley-Smoot Tariff
13. Did Hoover’s attempts to help farmers produce positive results? Explain.
Herbert Hoover’s attempts to help farmers produce positive results somewhat benefited the farmers. He stet up a Federal Farm board, which lent money to farmers and started the Cotton Stabilization Corporation. However the Hawley-Smoot Tariff had a lot of negative effects, which lowered tariffs, slowed trade and moved America towards isolationism, which would allow Hitler to rise to power.
The Great Crash Ends the Golden Twenties
Know: Black Tuesday, "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?"
14. What were the immediate effects of the stock market crash?
The immediate effect of the stock market crash were that the sell-off had begun and prices plummet, causing stock holders to loose $40 billion in value. Business began to go out of business, unemployment skyrocketed, and over 5 thousands bands went bankrupt because people withdrew their money.
Hooked on the Horn of Plenty
Know: Hoover Blankets, Hoovervilles
15. What causes contributed to the Great Depression?
The causes that contributed to the Great Depression were the huge stock market crash, over speculation in stock instead of land, this time around, and over production. American consumerism and production had over extended itself and over reached the consumers’ ability to use real money to buy things.
Rugged Times for Rugged Individualists
Know: Rugged Individualism, The Great Humanitarian
16. How did President Hoover’s beliefs affect the way he handled the Depression?
President Hoover’s beliefs affected the way he handled the Depression in that he took the blame, which did nothing to help him. His rugged individualism made him slow to take government action and he believed that the Depression was a natural part of the business cycle. He came to the conclusion to just wait it out.
Hoover Battles the Great Depression
Know: Muscle Shoals Bill, Reconstruction Finance Corporation, Pump-Priming, Yellow Dog Contracts
17. Is Hoover’s reputation as ultra-conservative well deserved? Explain.
Hoover’s reputation as ultra-conservative is not well deserved due the environment around him, which caused him to let the government take action and went against his nature. He tried to jump start the economy through government spending and passed the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to lend money to finance FDR’s New deal projects.
Routing the Bonus Army in Washington
Know: Bonus Expeditionary Force, Douglas MacArthur
18. What happened to the Bonus Army? Why?
The Bonus Army was a group of World War I veterans who wanted bonuses for saving the world for democracy and the Bonus Expeditionary Force was created and consisted of people who set up camp in Washington to demand their bonuses. Riots emerged in the confusion and the Army was needed to carry out the eviction.
Japanese Militarists Attack China
Know: Manchuria, Stimson Doctrine
19. How did the Japanese attack on Manchuria demonstrate the weakness of the League of Nations?
The Japanese attack on Manchuria demonstrated the League of Nation’s weakness because people were shocked to discover that the Kellogg-Briand Pact, which outlawed war, was being violated. It showed that the League of Nations didn’t do anything and couldn’t do anything. It taught a lesson however that weaker nations could be taken over by aggressive ones and that although free nations would complain; no action would be taken to stop the aggressive nations.
Hoover Pioneers the Good Neighbor Policy
20. What was President Hoover’s policy toward Latin America
President Hoover’s policy towards Latin America was one of friendship. After the U.S-Latin American relations had been ruined, Hoover desired to change that into friendship. American troops were pulled out of Nicaragua and Haiti which laid the foundation for the “Good Neighbor” policy.