Question

Discuss how politics of the 1920s reflected the new postwar mood of the country. What did the Harding administration’s policies attempt to achieve, and how?

Answer 1

The election of 1920 was a very significant one in the country, as it was heavily influenced by the experiences of World War I. Moreover, this election set the tone for much of the political environment of the following decade.

The election of 1920 was the first one in which women were allowed to vote. Therefore, the number of voters was significantly higher than in past elections. Moreover, Harding was able to win due to a platform that heavily referenced the experiences of World War I. His slogan "Return to Normalcy" reflected the fact that many Americans wished to return to the time before the war. The public was looking for peace, stability and calm, which is what the term "normalcy" encompassed.