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[[American History Lecture Eleven|Lecture]] - [[American_History_Homework_Eleven|Questions]] - [[American History Homework Eleven Answers|Student Answers]]

[[American History Lecture Eleven|Lecture]] - [[American_History_Homework_Eleven|Questions]] - [[American History Homework Eleven Answers|Student Answers]]

This lecture we will cover through World War II.  The next lecture we'll cover until the election of [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1980, and then the last lecture will be the Reagan Administration and beyond.

This lecture we will cover through World War II.  In the next lecture we'll cover until the election of [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1980, and then the last lecture will be about the Reagan Administration and beyond.

== The Roaring Twenties ==

== The Roaring Twenties ==

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Coolidge was a character who became famous for saying and doing nothing.  He rejected regulations to control the economic boom, and denied funding for farmers to help their depressed conditions.  His first message to Congress in late 1923 was to limit aid to farmers, isolate the nation in foreign policy, and cut taxes.  His popularity increased and he won reelection with 54% of the vote, taking credit for "Coolidge prosperity."

Coolidge was a character who became famous for saying and doing nothing.  He rejected regulations to control the economic boom, and denied funding for farmers to help their depressed conditions.  His first message to Congress in late 1923 was to limit aid to farmers, isolate the nation in foreign policy, and cut taxes.  His popularity increased and he won reelection with 54% of the vote, taking credit for "Coolidge prosperity."

He became famous for his laconic style of few words.  A young woman at a social event whispered to Coolidge's wife that the woman could cause Coolidge to say at least three words.  Coolidge must have overheard the whisper, because he then said, "You lose."  In 1928, Coolidge lived up to his reputation by giving the following statement to an anxious public, "I do not choose to run for President in 1928."  That was it.  In the 1980s conservative President Ronald Reagan infuriated liberals by finding a portrait of Coolidge in the White House attic and prominently displaying it along with George Washington and other famous presidents.

He became famous for his laconic style of few words.  A young woman at a social event whispered to Coolidge's wife that the woman would start a conversation with Coolidge such that Coolidge would say at least three words.  Coolidge must have overheard the whisper, because he then said, "You lose."  In 1928, Coolidge lived up to his reputation by giving the following statement to an anxious public, "I do not choose to run for President in 1928."  That was it.  In the 1980s conservative President Ronald Reagan infuriated liberals by finding a portrait of Coolidge in the White House attic and prominently displaying it along with George Washington and other famous presidents.

Notwithstanding Coolidge's lack of words, the rest of the nation was saying and doing a great deal.  American authors wrote tragedies about wealth (by F. Scott Fitzgerald), business and religion (by Sinclair Lewis, and war (by Ernest Hemingway).  William Faulkner became one of America's most acclaimed novelists by writing during 1929-1932 the books "Sound & Fury," "As I Lay Dying," "Sanctuary," and "Light in August."  Liberals particularly liked Faulkner because he described the Christian South as poor and racist.  Eugene O'Neill was a playwright who became the second American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature for in 1936; he was praised for bringing psychological realism to his plays.

Notwithstanding Coolidge's lack of words, the rest of the nation was saying and doing a great deal.  American authors wrote tragedies about wealth (by F. Scott Fitzgerald), business and religion (by Sinclair Lewis, and war (by Ernest Hemingway).  William Faulkner became one of America's most acclaimed novelists by writing during 1929-1932 the books "Sound & Fury," "As I Lay Dying," "Sanctuary," and "Light in August."  Liberals particularly liked Faulkner because he described the Christian South as poor and racist.  Eugene O'Neill was a playwright who became the second American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature for in 1936; he was praised for bringing psychological realism to his plays.

If you like the excitement and mystery of court trials, the anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti were executed in 1927 despite having political support by liberals.  Their crime was to commit murder in 1920 during a bank robbery, and to this day some doubt their real guilt.  But reconsideration of their case by independent reviewers has concluded that, yes, they really committed the crime.

If you like the excitement and mystery of court trials, the anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti were executed in 1927 despite having political support by liberals.  Their crime was to commit murder in 1920 during a bank robbery, and to this day some doubt their real guilt.  But reconsideration of their case by independent reviewers has concluded that, yes, they really committed the crime.

In 1928 the Kellogg-Briand Pact (or Treaty) was a silly international attempt to outlaw war.  It proved to be ineffective because there was no way to enforce it. A country would have to engage in war to make another country obey the treaty!

In 1928 the Kellogg-Briand Pact (or Treaty) was a silly international attempt to outlaw war.  It proved to be ineffective because only a war can force a nation to do something! A country would have to start a war to make another country obey the treaty, and that would defeat the purpose of the treaty.

== The Great Depression ==

== The Great Depression ==