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Why did so many voters draw to Harding’s message of normalcy and a return to values of the past?

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Final answer:

Harding's message of 'normalcy' and a return to past values resonated with voters who were eager for stability after WWI, the flu pandemic, and economic disturbances. His likable persona and pro-business, isolationist policies aligned with the public’s desire for peace and prosperity, which propelled him to a landslide victory in the 1920 presidential election.

Step-by-step explanation:

Many voters were drawn to Warren G. Harding's message of a return to normalcy following the tumultuous period involving World War I, the flu pandemic, economic disturbances, and the Red Scare. Harding's campaign promise was a respite from the progressive mandates and constant changes that had defined American life for several years. The appeal for a return to simpler times and the values of the past was powerful, as it promised healing and restoration rather than radical changes, which resonated with a war-weary and disillusioned electorate.

Harding's persona as genial and approachable, combined with his appreciation for leisurely pursuits such as golf and poker, made him a likable candidate who seemed to embody the pro-business and isolationist policies that many Americans desired. Moreover, the Republican prosperity associated with the party was a key factor in helping Harding win the presidency. The desire for economic stability and growth, after experiencing national depression and economic troubles, led to a landslide victory for Harding, reflecting the populace's longing for stability and an end to international intervention.

User Evpo
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Harding used the message about the return to normalcy, about the "return to the way of life before WWI", as the main slogan during his presidential campaign for the election in 1920. He promised the acquisition of that pre-war mentality by simply dealing with the war issues through healing, restoring and adjusting, in a non-dramatic manner, and this would enable to go back to the previous triumphant mentality.

User Roman Dmitrienko
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