The Economist
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Group Editorial Pg. 3
Deregulation is Copacetic Pg. 4-5
Deregulation is Beneficial Pg. 6-7
Is America Safe Again? Pg. 8-9 Harding’s Promise Pg. 10
Did Presidents go too far to Battle the Red Scare? Pg. 11-12
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Group Editorial Back in the 1920s, the Presidents had very different personalities, but the same ideas to keep America resourceful. President Harding had cut taxes and the presidents decided to also. President Coolidge cut all taxes including corporate taxes, income taxes, and inheritance taxes which you have to pay when a loved one dies and the business they work for gives you about a year’s salary. The businesses oppressed the worker to. With low wages and rising inflation the working class became poorer and poorer. So unions formed to protect them. And the presidents did nothing to help the common worker. And were therefore ineffective. While people could argue that the economy and stock market were booming in the 1920s it very soon crashed showing the short-sightedness of the presidents and business owners of the 1920s. But Harding had his flaws, like every normal person. During the Teapot Dome Scandal, we realized that it all started when the secretary of Interior Falls finally persuaded Harding into giving up control of all the national oil reserves in Elk Hills. Fall had then payed Harding $360,000 in bribes. But after bribes had become public, Fall finally resigned. The public was left wondering whether or not any of the other national properties were offered up to Fall. On the other hand, the Washington Naval Conference, which is also called the Washington Arms Conference or the Washington Disarmament Conference, was a military conference that was called by President Harding. It was conducted outside the auspice of the League of Nations and it was attended by nine different nations: United States, Japan, China, France, Britain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, and finally, Portugal. The Soviet Union, however, was not invited to the conference. This conference was also the first international conference that was held in the United States and the first arms control conference in history, and as the 1990s show, it is studied by political scientists as a model for a successful disarmament movement. This conference resulted in three major treaties: Four-Power Treaty, Five-Power(Washington Naval Treaty), and the Nine-Power Treaty. The Republican Presidents weren’t the best presidents in our history, however. Coolidge, for example, withdrew troops from Nicaragua. Other than that, Charles Dawes created the Dawes plan which was a plan for Germany to repay reparations after World War I, however, this didn’t quite work because Germany kept owing America more and more money which would cause even more problems later!
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Deregulation is Copacetic Has deregulation under the Republican presidents benefitted America? By:Ryne Eyestone Since the United States have had three different presidents over the course of the 1920s, they were still having the same ideas as one president. The three presidents, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover, all tried to cut taxes, cut the White House budget, and promoted businesses. But to be fairly honest, what is Deregulation and what did it do for the United States? What is deregulation really? Deregulation is the removal of restrictions in a particular industry. Why is this important? This means that industries can do whatever they want to try and sell their products, do whatever to their workers, and build as many factories as they want. This means that they can sell their products cheaper if they are saving their own money. In turn, people are buying more products for less money. When the car first came out, they were selling for almost $900! Near the end of the 20s, however, they only costed $360. That's almost one third of the original price! But because of deregulation, people wouldn’t have as many goods. Some of the items that people bought were for all day use like a car but most were for leisure like a boat. Because of deregulation, people can use what's called the free enterprise system which allows you to have private ownership of land and resources on your property. When people heard that Harding is for the free enterprise system, more and more trusted the president and used it. Especially after WWI, people are going back to normal and having ownership of your own belongings helped that. When people aren’t giving their resources to industries, more businesses are paying more profits to supply and demand when more people wouldn’t give up personal belongings. Also because people are using the free enterprise system, most people are not destroying items of ownership, but producing man made supplies and other pieces of the past.
Calvin Coolidge
More reasons that deregulation is great is the President's. When Harding died, Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge kept trying to cut taxes and eliminate unnecessary spending. Coolidge pushed for reductions in corporate taxes, income taxes, and inheritance taxes which is when a loved one dies, you pay for the taxes with the money that their company that they were working for gives you. Coolidge even tried to cut down the white house budget to economize in little ways that he can like using less toilet paper. It’s easy to tell that Calvin Coolidge won reelection. He kept the country the way it was. People thought that he was going to run again, but he decided that he wasn’t. Then came along Herbert Hoover, Iowa native and the head of the Food Organization. Hoover believed that promoting businesses would bring business leaders together to improve economic efficiency. Hoover also thought that if business flourished, then people in poverty would go down. This wasn’t the case which lead some people thinking that Republican Presidents haven’t benefitted America. Some of the reasons for this was that men didn’t get their share of prosperity from the Election of Harding like he promised people he would do. Others believed that the average citizen would sustain losses when all of the stock is bought out. The reason for this is that over four million men have unstable jobs. So men would set aside enough money to feed their family and take the rest over to Wall Street and sell it in hopes in earning more money for themselves. Deregulation seems like a good thing for America. Sure, it has its flaws but everything will have flaws. But truly I tell you, deregulation is a good thing. You can buy stock, buy items that you really can’t afford and put it on credit to pay for it later, and have private ownership of your own personal belongings. So why not give it a try? Your life may have taken a turn for the good.
“Calvin Coolidge.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 17 June 2016, www.biography.com/people/calvin-coolidge-925 6384. Hart, Diane, and Bert Bower. History Alive!: Pursuing American Ideals. Teachers' Curriculum Institute, 2013.
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After Deregulation Americans could afford nicer items using credit
Before Regulation
Americans couldn’t afford nice things
Deregulation is Beneficial for America Has deregulation under the Republican presidents benefitted America? By: Marina Eisenmenger
Scoop Question: Has deregulation under the Republican presidents benefitted America? Yes, it has benefitted America because Harding committed to the free enterprise system and some other things that benefitted America. Deregulation has three steps: Congress can vote to repeal a law, then the president can issue an executive order to remove the regulation, and last, a federal agency can stop enforcing the law at any time. Hardings’ commitment to the free enterprise system was such an economic system that was characterized by private ownership of property, including land and resources. All of us relied on competition for profits and all the forces of supply and demand, which determined the prices for all the goods and services in America at that time. Supply and demand also determined what would be produced. The worst instance of corruption was the Teapot Dome Scandal. This all began when the secretary of the Interior Fall which persuaded Harding to give him control over national oil reserves in Elk Hills. Fall had then used the oil reserved to two countries, which had paid him a whopping $360,000, only in bribes. But, after the bribes all became public, Fall finally resigned. The scandal then left the public wondering whether or not any other national properties had been offered up for sale to Fall. The Florida Land Boom was very huge and it was about how real estate developers sold lots on the Florida coast for lots of money, just to eager speculators from other parts of the country. In this Florida scheme, as long as the prices had been going up, no one cared that some of the lots were underwater. The prices, however, collapsed, right after a hurricane had devastated the Florida coast. Many speculators were left with absolutely nothing, except for some near-worthless land.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was a measure of stock prices that are still used today. Those prices had doubled between May 1928 and September 1929. As the money poured into the market, and stock prices had soared. Barbers, Cab drivers, and elevator operators bought stocks on “hot tips” they had overheard while working. Housewives also invested their pocket money in stocks. The Washington Naval Conference was where the republican presidents that turned to diplomacy to prevent another World War. The Washington Naval Conference attempted to reduce military competition by limiting the world’s most powerful navies. It was attended by nine nations: America, Japan, China, France, Britain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, and Portugal. This resulted in three major treaties: Four-Power Treaty, Washington Naval Treaty, and Nine-Power Treaty. The primary object of this conference was to restrain Japanese naval expansion in the waters as well. Bibliography: Hart, Diane, and Bert Bower. History Alive!: Pursuing American Ideals. Teachers' Curriculum Institute, 2013.
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Marina’s Project
With these glasses, you can see whenever Harding lies and you can tell what he lies about.
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America is Safe Again? Have the foreign policy goals of the Republican presidents made America safer, and is war over? By:Samuel Ross
The Washington Naval Conference opened in 1921, and nations agreed to expand their navies. The WNC limited the construction of large warships, but small warships were not prohibited. The U.S. signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact, which was a treaty between the U.S. and France to outlaw war. Great Britain and France agreed to pay what they owned American lenders. Charles Dawes created the Dawes plan which was a plan for Germany to repay reparations after World War I However, this didn’t quite work because Germany kept owing America more and more money which would cause problems later. The Isolationist Sediment had an impact on U.S. policy toward Latin America. Troops were stationed in Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. Coolidge withdrew troops from Nicaragua, but decides to send them back to counter a revolution. Then Hoover announced that the U.S. did not have the right to intervene the military in Latin America. Under the economic policies of the Republican presidents, the post World War I recession faded away. Businesses expanded and productivity increased dramatically. Unemployment dropped and wages rose to double what they had been before. There was food, shelter, and clothing for all.
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President Harding’s Promise What was the “Return to Normalcy” promised by harding? Will it be good for America? By: Landon Daniels
Harding knew that the people of America wanted peace and quiet, and that they were tired of attempts at reform. So he promised a “Return to Normalcy” which allowed him to win the presidential debate of 1921. Normalcy to him was the pre-war America. Americans supported the idea of his “Return to Normalcy” because they thought it would be good for the U.S. Harding had wanted ideas, but they were badly executed and weren't well thought out. Which is why I don’t think it was good for the U.S. President Harding is the leading candidate for worst President. He was president for 2 years from 1921 to 1923. His presidency ended due to death from a heart attack. His associates were scared that he would try to answer questions. U.S. citizens liked the idea because they were tired of attempts at reform. This encouraged them to vote for him. It was thought that it would satisfy the U.S. citizens. Harding won the Presidential Debate with over 60% of the popular vote. It was not good because it was not thought out. It was less thought of politically, and it was mainly based on what the people wanted. It was pro-business, anti-tax, and anti-regulation. It ultimately took power from the government. It made the uneven distribution of wealth between rich and poor worse than it already was. It created a financial bubble that led to the Great Depression. Harding’s focus on world affairs was replaced by a focus on prosperity at home. This meant that isolationism was part of the execution of his “Return to Normalcy.” This was a mistake because the U.S. had world affairs at this time. Isolationism was meant to help keep the U.S. out of conflicts but it did not work. Harding’s “Return to Normalcy” was overall not good for the U.S. because all of the bad things that it caused out ruled the few good things. I believe that Harding was the worst president in history. He was not professional and did not deserve to win the election.
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The Rise of The Reds in The 1920s Did Presidents of the 1920’s go too far to Battle The Red Scare? By: Ryan Hartman In the 1920’s there was a large question on politicians mind’s. What to do about the Reds/ Red Scare? For those who don’t know, Red or Reds is a slang term for anyone who is a socialist, communist, or anarchist. These political theories originate from German political theorist Karl Marx. The ideas of Socialism, Communism, and Anarchism originate from his book, The Communist Manifesto which called for public ownership and a workers revolution against the oppressive capitalists. Many groups of these people started in labour unions because of the terrible working conditions. You see in the 1920’s there was a large amount of tension between the factory owners and the working class. The average worker made little and with growing inflation they could afford less and less. The workers formed unions to protect them and help improve conditions. One of the largest labour unions was the AFL or the American Federation of Labour. But as Wages were cut and raises refused unions were forced to go on strike to try and make a difference. The strikes did make a bit of difference in conditions but soon police or even national guard were sent to stop them. At the same time the economy started to take a turn for the worst and people started to scramble for jobs. Employers made new employees sign a contract to not join a union. As all of this happened other groups started to gain popularity one of the most prominent was the I.W.W. which stands for the Industrial Workers of the World. They are a socialist/ communist group that took inspiration from the Bolsheviks in the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) . While a more peaceful group they still held protests and strikes against the upper class. This is when many started to fear and hate these kinds of people they feared they were trying to overthrow the government. People started to discriminate against them one well known example was the Sacco and Vanzetti trial. Sacco and Vanzetti were poor Italian immigrants. They were found guilty of a double murder and robbery and were condemned to death. But there was an investigation as to whether they deserved clemency. There was no real solid evidence that they committed the murder. At the time of the murder both were carrying guns and Sacco’s gun fired the types of bullets used to kill the man but no test could prove the bullet came from his gun. A hat found at the scene was also said to be Sacco’s but it did not fit him. There was next to no evidence convicting Vanzetti. But both were still convicted and all appeals on Sacco and Vanzetti's behalf were denied. It was often questioned if they were convicted because of their race or political views both were immigrants and anarchists.
Fear grew on April 28th 1919 when bombs go off at senators and mayors houses across the country. When the post office looked into it they found 34 packages with addresses of some of the most wealthy business owners and politicians and all top ranking capitalists. Many instantly blamed the “radical groups” and communists but no one was ever able to prove who it was but people still believed that the groups did it and saw them as a threat. This started a war of hatred on the Socialists, Communists, and Anarchists. Articles and posters started denouncing them and making them sound like monsters. They stated it was “un-american and there was no room for other ideologies and they go against everything america stands for”. Then later on June 2nd 1919 eight bombs explode in eight different cities one target attorney Mitchell Palmer took matters into his hands. What were later called the Palmer raids were launched. Without warrants police raided homes, businesses, and meeting places for weapons, bombs, and anything they considered evidence. They also seized records and papers at will. They arrested 6,000 suspected radicals they deported foreigners without trial. The only evidence found was 3 pistols. Palmer also created propaganda against the Reds posters stating that there ,“will be no let up in the suppression of socialism and that bond owners will lose all if “soviet” established and that they will abolish all religion”. So I do think that Republican presidents went to far to suppress the “Red Scare” because they massively overreacted to a new ideology so it scared them and they reacted by trying to destroy it. They blamed and convicted them of crimes with no evidence. And instead of improving working conditions to try and stop their anger they just tried to destroy the people who believed in it.
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Bibliography
Brown, Bert. History Alive! Pursuing American Ideals. 2013. “Industrial Workers of the World.” Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Workers_of_the_World. “Sacco and Vanzetti to Die.” Emaze Amazing Presentations, www.emaze.com/@AFIWCQOR. “Sacco and Vanzetti.” Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacco_and_Vanzetti. Warren, Jim. “Harding.” Daily News, Jim Warren, 29 July 2014, “Charles G. Dawes.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Nov. 2017, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_G._Dawes. History Alive! Textbook | Pursuing American Ideals, shop.teachtci.com/school-textbooks/programs-34-history-alive-textbook-pursuing-american-ideals-high-school/ “Calvin Coolidge.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 17 June 2016, www.biography.com/people/calvin-coolidge-9256384. Hart, Diane, and Bert Bower. History Alive!: Pursuing American Ideals. Teachers' Curriculum Institute, 2013. Hart, Diane, and Bert Bower. History Alive!: Pursuing American Ideals. Teachers' Curriculum Institute, 2013.
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