President Harding and the "Return to Normalcy"
Americans had entered World War I with enthusiasm. Many Americans felt that they were
fighting to "save the world for democracy." At home and overseas, the United States
launched a mighty war effort. By the time the war ended, however, Americans were
disillusioned. Their disillusionment increased when allies of the United States began quarreling
among themselves.
The war caused many people to turn away from the Democrats. At the same time, the
Progressive and New Freedom movements also lost strength. In the election of 1920, the
Republicans nominated Warren C. Harding from Ohio. Harding won by a sweeping majority
of about 7 million votes.
The election of 1920 was the first time in American history that all women were able to vote
for a president of the United States. Women had long sought voting rights. During the war,
they had entered the work force in great numbers. This great contribution to the war effort
had persuaded many people that women should be given the vote. Shortly before the
election of 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified, and women were guaranteed the
right to vote.
Warren Harding did not believe in reform programs. He felt that the country should return to
what he called "normalcy." He wanted to see life return to the way it had been before the
war. Unlike Roosevelt and Wilson, he favored reducing the government's regulation of
business.
Normalcy also suggested a withdrawal from European affairs. Many people believed in
isolating the United States from Europe's problems. These people opposed the idea of joining
any sort of international organization. The Congress, dominated by Republicans, strongly
supported isolationism. President Harding agreed with Congress that the United States should
not join the League of Nations, even though the league had been proposed by a previous
American president, Woodrow Wilson.
How does this cartoon from the time illustrate
the concern many Americans had about
membership in the League of Nations?
Solve the clues below to complete the puzzle and discover the foreign policy to which
the U.S. returned after World War I.
1. Many Americans were _____ by our experience in World War I.
2. Americans had entered World War I with ______.
3. The election of 1920 was the first in which all ______ were able to vote for President.
4. Warren G. Harding wanted less government ______ of business.
5. He was elected President in 1920 (last name).
6. World War I caused many Americans to turn away from the _____.
7. Harding did not want the U.S. to join the _____ ___ _____.
8. One this Harding meant by "normalcy" was a withdrawal from _____ affairs.
9. Warren G. Harding promised the American people a return to "_____."
10. The _____ Amendment guaranteed all women over age 21 the right to vote.
11. The _____ Movement lost strength after World War I.
12. After World War I, Americans were less interested in _____ (change for the better).