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== The Roaring Twenties ==

== The Roaring Twenties ==

The Roaring Twenties was the period from 1920 to 1929 when there was tremendous economic growth ''and'' remarkable cultural progress.  It was a period of great excitement and accomplishing in our nation's history on many levels:  in politics, business, literature and music.  From 1921 to 1929, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (a measure of stock market performance) rose from 60 to an astounding 400, and increase of more than six-fold.<ref>http://www.stock-market-crash.net/1929.htm</ref>  By comparison, the stock market today is ''lower'' than what it was in the year 2000.  Many new millionaires were created in the 1920s.  But the good times were not merely about money.  The culture (music, literature, festivals, etc.) was vibrant also, and it was an exciting time to be an American.

The Roaring Twenties was the period from 1920 to 1929 when there was tremendous economic growth ''and'' remarkable cultural progress.  It was a period of great excitement and accomplishment in our nation's history on many levels:  in politics, business, literature and music.  From 1921 to 1929, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (a measure of stock market performance) rose from 60 to an astounding 400, an increase of more than six-fold.<ref>http://www.stock-market-crash.net/1929.htm</ref>  By comparison, the stock market today is ''lower'' than what it was in the year 2000.  Many new millionaires were created in the 1920s.  But the good times were not merely about money.  The culture (music, literature, festivals, etc.) was vibrant also, and it was a thrilling time to be an American.

Politically, the period started with the election of Warren Hardin as president.  He was a conservative who nominated four (4) conservative Justices to the Supreme Court, some of whom later invalidated key parts of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR)'s liberal New Deal.  Harding also supported Prohibition, which was a conservative Christian women's movement.  Harding opposed the League of Nations, which was a form of "world government" that conservatives today still dislike.  Harding opposed immigration, and with his support of the tightest restrictions on immigration in the nation's history.

Politically, the period started with the election of Warren Harding as president.  He was a conservative who nominated four (4) conservative Justices to the Supreme Court, some of whom later invalidated key parts of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR)'s liberal New Deal.  Harding also supported Prohibition, which was a conservative Christian women's movement.  Harding opposed the League of Nations, which was a form of "world government" that conservatives today still dislike.  Harding opposed immigration, and with his support the tightest restrictions on immigration in the nation's history became law.

Harding and his wife were colorful characters, opening the White House up to the public again (Wilson had closed it during his illness) and throwing regular garden parties for veterans.  The President and his wife relaxed at poker parties in the White House library, where liquor was available to guests despite being illegal during Prohibition.

Harding and his wife were colorful characters, opening the White House up to the public again (Wilson had closed it during his illness) and throwing regular garden parties for veterans.  The President relaxed at poker parties in the White House library, where liquor was available to guests despite being illegal during Prohibition.

Harding has some immediate political achievements.  The Federal Highway Act in 1921 provided $75 million to states in matching funds for state roads.  The Washington Naval Conference (1921-22) was an international treaty that limited arms in navies worldwide, delayed war in Pacific, and temporarily protected China against Japan.  The Fordney McCumber Act of 1922 increased tariffs to very high levels, but this was later criticized by historians for creating hardship for Europe after World War I, which had ended just a few years earlier.

Harding has some immediate political achievements.  The Federal Highway Act in 1921 provided $75 million to States in matching funds (i.e., matching monies provided by the States) for State roads.  The Washington Naval Conference (1921-22) was an international treaty that limited arms in navies worldwide, delayed war in Pacific, and temporarily protected China against imperialistic Japan.  The Fordney McCumber Act of 1922 increased tariffs to very high levels, but this was later criticized by historians for creating hardship for Europe after World War I, which had ended just a few years earlier.

Most of all, Harding laid the basis for a tremendous economic boom in America which lasted the entire decade of the 1920s.

Most of all, Harding laid the basis for a tremendous economic boom in America which lasted the entire decade of the 1920s.