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The Jazz Age President: Defending Warren Harding

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In the aftermath of the Roaring Twenties, Warren G. Harding's presidency has long been overshadowed by scandals and controversy. But a new book by historian John A. Farrell argues that Harding deserves a fresh look. Farrell contends that Harding was a competent and effective president who was unfairly maligned by his detractors.

The Jazz Age President: Defending Warren G. Harding

by Ryan S. Walters

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1719 KB
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Print length	:	255 pages

Harding, a Republican from Ohio, was elected president in 1920. He promised a "return to normalcy" after the tumultuous years of World War I and the Progressive Era. Harding's presidency was marked by a number of achievements, including the passage of the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, which created the Bureau of the Budget (now the Office of Management and Budget),and the establishment of the Veterans Bureau (now the Department of Veterans Affairs).

Harding also worked to improve relations with other countries. He signed the Washington Naval Treaty, which limited the size of the navies of the United States, Great Britain, Japan, France, and Italy. Harding also recognized the Soviet Union, which had been established after the Russian Revolution.

However, Harding's presidency was also marked by scandal. In 1923, it was revealed that several members of Harding's administration had been involved in the Teapot Dome scandal, in which government officials leased oil reserves to private companies at below-market prices.

Harding died in office in 1923, just two years after taking office. His death was a shock to the nation, and it led to a wave of speculation about the circumstances surrounding his death. Some historians believe that Harding was poisoned, while others believe that he died of natural causes.

In his book, Farrell argues that Harding was a competent and effective president who was unfairly maligned by his detractors. Farrell contends that Harding's achievements, such as the passage of the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 and the establishment of the Veterans Bureau, were significant. He also argues that Harding's foreign policy was successful, and that he helped to improve relations with other countries.

Farrell's book is a valuable contribution to the historiography of Warren G. Harding. It provides a fresh look at a president who has long been overshadowed by scandals and controversy. Farrell's book shows that Harding was a complex and contradictory figure, and that his presidency was a mixture of successes and failures.

The Jazz Age President: Defending Warren Harding is a must-read for anyone interested in American history. It is a well-written and engaging book that sheds new light on a forgotten president.

Warren G. Harding The Jazz Age President: Defending Warren G Harding