The Post Progressives: 1921-1929

The Post Progressive presidencies defined themselves visa-vie their progressive predecessors. Their domestic policies ranged from laissez faire to massive governmental action. Their foreign policies had to contend with an isolationist populace. The first of the group was elected to return America to normalcy. Voters had enough of foreign adventures and enough government involvement in the economy and the country. The second group had to deal with the Great Depression.

Like Barack Obama, Warren Harding went from little known senator without any accomplishments straight to the White House. Like Obama, he was charismatic, good looking, and was surrounded by corrupt party hacks. Unlike Obama, Harding knew he was not very competent. He hoped to be a well-liked president as opposed to a great president.

The Harding Administration is best known for scandal. His attorney general resigned after taking bribes, he fathered a child out of wedlock, and smuggled another mistress out of the country before the 1920 election. It was a lot like the Clinton years some 70 years later. The biggest scandal broke after Harding died. The Teapot Dome scandal was one of the worst in U.S. history. The Secretary of the Interior took bribes from an oil company. In return, the company could drill oil land set aside for the Navy. Luckily for Harding, he died before the scandal broke. His historical reputation did not survive. Like Bill Clinton, Warren Harding will be remembered for scandal and womanizing.

Harding’s vice-president, Calvin Coolidge, restored public confidence in government. He cleaned up Harding’s mess. He then moved to fix the economy which was in a funk since World War I. Coolidge cut taxes and created an environment amiable to growth. Coolidge’s legacy was the Roaring 20s. During his tenure, the economy grew at a breath taking pace. People’s lives became easier, money flowed, and culture flourished. This was the Jazz Age. A spirit of modernity prevailed. Coolidge decided not to run for re-election in 1928. The country was in seemingly good shape.