Presidents of the United States: Warren G Harding, the man who promised the 'return to normalcy’ presidency

Editor’s Note: This profile is part of a  series taking a closer look at US presidents  ahead of the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States, served from 1921 until his death in 1923. A former newspaper publisher-turned-senator from Ohio, Harding campaigned on the promise of a “return to normalcy” after the upheavals of World War I and the progressive reforms of his predecessors.  

His presidency is remembered for its pro-business policies, a focus on limited government, and attempts to foster peace through international cooperation. However, Harding’s legacy has been overshadowed by major scandals that emerged after his death, including the infamous Teapot Dome affair.

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Harding’s early life

Warren Gamaliel Harding was born on November 2, 1865, in Corsica (now Blooming Grove), Ohio. Raised in a small-town environment, Harding came from a modest family of farmers and tradespeople.  

After briefly attending Ohio Central College, Harding entered journalism and eventually became the owner of the Marion Star, a small newspaper in Marion, Ohio. His success as a newspaper publisher gave him local prominence and a platform from which to enter politics.

Harding began his political career in the Ohio state senate, serving from 1899 to 1903. He was later elected lieutenant governor of Ohio and, in 1914, won a seat in the US Senate.  

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Harding’s time in the Senate was largely unremarkable; he supported conservative, pro-business policies and avoided taking strong stances on controversial issues. His easy going personality and affable nature, however, made him a popular figure within the Republican Party.

Harding’s rise to presidency 

Harding emerged as the Republican Party’s compromise candidate during the 1920 presidential election, after a deadlocked convention.  

With the country reeling from the aftermath of World War I and disillusioned by the progressive policies of US President Woodrow Wilson, Harding’s call for a “return to normalcy” resonated with voters. He promised to return the nation to peace and prosperity, advocating for a reduced role for government in economic affairs and a return to more traditional values.

In the 1920 US presidential election, Harding defeated Democratic candidate James M Cox in a landslide, winning over 60 per cent of the popular vote. His victory reflected the public’s desire for stability and a rejection of Wilsonian internationalism, particularly the League of Nations, which Harding opposed.

Harding’s domestic policy: A return to pro-business conservatism

Harding’s presidency marked a shift back to conservative economic policies that favoured business interests and limited government intervention in the economy.  

His administration sought to reduce taxes, particularly for the wealthy and corporations, and promoted policies that encouraged economic growth through deregulation.

One of Harding’s key legislative accomplishments was the passage of the Revenue Act of 1921, which lowered income taxes and removed wartime excess-profits taxes. The administration also established the Bureau of the Budget, which introduced greater efficiency in federal spending by centralising the budgetary process.

Harding’s presidency also focused on restoring industrial and economic stability after the turmoil of the war years. He supported high tariffs to protect American industries and encouraged business growth through a laissez-faire approach to economic regulation.  

His policies contributed to the economic boom of the 1920s, but they also laid the groundwork for the financial excesses that would culminate in the Great Depression.

Harding’s foreign policy after World War I

In foreign policy, Harding leaned toward isolationism, reflecting the mood of the country after World War I. He rejected US participation in the League of Nations, favouring a more unilateral approach to international relations. However, Harding also recognised the need for diplomatic engagement to maintain global stability.

One of his administration’s significant achievements was the Washington Naval Conference of 1921-1922, which aimed to prevent a postwar arms race by limiting naval armament among the world’s major powers.  

The resulting treaties marked the first time in history that nations agreed to disarm on such a large scale, and they were seen as a victory for international peace efforts.

Corruption and scandals

Despite Harding’s personal popularity and success in stabilising the economy, his presidency became tainted by numerous scandals that came to light after his death.  

Harding appointed several of his close friends and political allies, known as the “Ohio Gang,” to key positions within his administration. Many of these individuals engaged in corrupt activities, exploiting their government roles for personal gain.

The most notorious scandal of Harding’s presidency was the Teapot Dome affair, in which US Secretary of the Interior Albert B Fall secretly leased federal oil reserves in Wyoming and California to private companies in exchange for bribes. Fall became the first US cabinet official to go to prison for crimes committed in office.  

Other scandals involved corruption in the US Veterans Bureau and the US Justice Department.

While Harding himself was not implicated in these scandals, his judgement in selecting appointees and his failure to prevent widespread corruption tarnished his legacy. Harding reportedly lamented privately that he was not up to the task of the US presidency and struggled with the misdeeds of those around him.

Harding’s family & posthumous reputation 

Warren Harding had married Florence Kling DeWolfe in 1891, who was a strong influence on his political career. Florence, known as “The Duchess,” was instrumental in managing Harding’s rise in politics and remained a close advisor throughout his career.  

The couple had no children together, though Harding reportedly had extramarital affairs, one of which resulted in a child, a fact that only came to light many years after his death.

Harding’s death initially led to an outpouring of national mourning, but his reputation quickly deteriorated as the full extent of the scandals within his administration became known.  

In the summer of 1923, Harding embarked on a cross-country speaking tour to bolster his public image. During the trip, he fell ill, and on August 2, 1923, Harding died of a heart attack in San Francisco. US Vice President Calvin Coolidge succeeded him, continuing many of Harding’s policies and overseeing a period of prosperity.

Historians have since ranked Harding among the least effective US presidents, largely due to the corruption that plagued his time in office and his lack of significant achievements beyond economic recovery.