Final answer:
The election of Warren G. Harding indicated a movement away from progressive policies, representing Americans' desire for a 'return to normalcy', with less government intervention, low taxes, and limited international engagement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The election of Warren G. Harding as president in 1920 marked a movement away from progressive policies. After World War I and the subsequent flu pandemic, Americans embraced Harding's call for a 'return to normalcy,' which was seen as an end to the Progressive Era's reform zeal and an entrance into a period of conservatism and relative isolation. Harding's presidency was characterized by low taxes, less government intervention in day-to-day lives, a business-friendly environment, and a reduced role in international affairs. Despite his administration being marred by scandals, his election signalized the public's fatigue with Progressivism and desire for a different approach to governance.
The decline of the Democratic Party and Progressive leadership, combined with the public's exhaustion from various domestic issues and war, led to Harding's landslide victory in the 1920 election. His platform resonated with voters who wanted to step back from the sweeping reforms of the Progressive Era and focus on domestic prosperity without heavy government involvement.