1923-1924 Chapter 1: Year of Scandal
Chapter 1 - The Year of Scandal
The Presidency of Warren G. Harding (A Human Face for Socialist Treason, 1956)
"Warren G. Harding is remembered as one of the most controversial politicians in American history. Although his presidency started out with him decisively defeating his Democratic Opponent Robert Cox by 25% in the 1920 Presidential Elections, his death in late 1924 and the subsequent revelations of the scandals he was involved in threw the Republican Party into chaos and arguably caused their defeat in the 1924 Presidential Election to Southern Democrat William G. McAdoo.
During his Presidential term, he was plagued by pneumonia. He was briefly hospitalized in 1923, he would recover from his pneumonia rapidly, and he seemed to not miss a beat. His popularity would continue unabated throughout the rest of 1924. His pneumonia proved a recurring curse, and Calvin Coolidge continued to slowly gain control over central affairs. After Harding was hospitalized in June 1924, Coolidge was secretly informed that Harding might die, and Coolidge would be the president for the next few months. Although Coolidge quickly dismissed this, Harding would die of a heart attack two days later.
Coolidge was officially inaugurated the 30th President of the United States on June 17th, 1924. During June, the campaign for the 1924 elections had kicked into gear, although the Republicans were rather aloof. The Democratic National Convention proved to be somewhat of a mess, as forces as disarrayed as Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Klu Klux Klan were present at the same conference.
Progressive factions, such as Al Smith and Franklin Roosevelt saw the Democrat's future as a reformist, nationwide party, while the Klu Klux Klan and Southern Democrats like William McAdoo staunchly opposed this. McAdoo himself did not explicitly refuse the Klan's endorsement. The concept of this Klan-backed Southern Democrat running against one of the most popular presidents in recent history gave many spectators a laugh, sure that the Democrats would be defeated as easily as they had in 1920.
However, the scandals that broke like a collapsing dam after Harding's death proved that to be wrong. The Teapot Dome Scandal, in which Progressive Robert LaFollette unraveled Harding's involvement in an oil bribery scheme tanked the popularity of the Republicans. Further revelations involving affairs with his mistress damaged his standing and personal pride within the party, and the Democrats were, for the first time since Wilson, seen as having a real shot.
At first, Coolidge attempted to dispel these rumors, calling them out of proportion. But as they continued to unravel, the Republican Party itself came under particular ire, and Coolidge who had just defended Harding now attempted to seamlessly separate Harding's legacy and his presidency. This backfired tremendously, causing further outrage within the Republican Party which was slow to give up on their once-popular figurehead."
The Election of 1924
The Election of 1924 was one of the most hotly contested and unpopular presidencies in American history. At first, Harding's policies and popularity resulted in many labeling him as the likely, or even certain, choice for the 1924 Elections. After the Teapot Dome Scandal, Coolidge's association with Harding and the Republican Party, as well as Coolidge's handling of the scandal allowed for the Democrats to gain significant popularity outside their regional zone in the South. McAdoo was rather unpopular himself, as he was openly fraternizing with the Klu Klux Klan. McAdoo's support for Prohibition gained him significant popularity in the Midwest and New England.
Despite the humiliation of the Teapot Dome Scandal, McAdoo had unknowingly accepted money from Edward Dohney, who was implicated in the Scandal. Although McAdoo swore he had no involvement in the conspiracy, it gave Coolidge hope he could clinch the nomination.
However, Coolidge had criticized LaFollette for his involvement in exposing the Teapot Dome Scandal when the news first broke. To many, faced with the choice of Klan-backed McAdoo, and a conspiracy-wound Coolidge, Progressive Senator LaFollette quickly gathered popularity.
In early August 1924, LaFollette formally established the new 'Progressive Party' likening back to the old party of Theodore Roosevelt. Although Coolidge appointed Hiram Johnson his Vice President, many were still skeptical to how much Coolidge could actually live up to Progressive platforms, and few turned away from LaFollette for Johnson.
McAdoo and his running mate, Carter Glass, found little popularity outside the South, but hoped the division of the Republicans and Progressives would allow him to take the nomination.
Whichever faction won the elections, it would be a decisive vote. If McAdoo won, a pro-Klan Southern Democrat would be in charge of the nation, and push conservative, Pro-Prohibition policies across the country. If Coolidge won, he would have strong Progressive and Democratic opposition. If none of them achieved a majority, the House of Representatives would pick a candidate.
1924 Presidential Election
The Presidency of Warren G. Harding (A Human Face for Socialist Treason, 1956)
"Warren G. Harding is remembered as one of the most controversial politicians in American history. Although his presidency started out with him decisively defeating his Democratic Opponent Robert Cox by 25% in the 1920 Presidential Elections, his death in late 1924 and the subsequent revelations of the scandals he was involved in threw the Republican Party into chaos and arguably caused their defeat in the 1924 Presidential Election to Southern Democrat William G. McAdoo.
During his Presidential term, he was plagued by pneumonia. He was briefly hospitalized in 1923, he would recover from his pneumonia rapidly, and he seemed to not miss a beat. His popularity would continue unabated throughout the rest of 1924. His pneumonia proved a recurring curse, and Calvin Coolidge continued to slowly gain control over central affairs. After Harding was hospitalized in June 1924, Coolidge was secretly informed that Harding might die, and Coolidge would be the president for the next few months. Although Coolidge quickly dismissed this, Harding would die of a heart attack two days later.
Coolidge was officially inaugurated the 30th President of the United States on June 17th, 1924. During June, the campaign for the 1924 elections had kicked into gear, although the Republicans were rather aloof. The Democratic National Convention proved to be somewhat of a mess, as forces as disarrayed as Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Klu Klux Klan were present at the same conference.
Progressive factions, such as Al Smith and Franklin Roosevelt saw the Democrat's future as a reformist, nationwide party, while the Klu Klux Klan and Southern Democrats like William McAdoo staunchly opposed this. McAdoo himself did not explicitly refuse the Klan's endorsement. The concept of this Klan-backed Southern Democrat running against one of the most popular presidents in recent history gave many spectators a laugh, sure that the Democrats would be defeated as easily as they had in 1920.
However, the scandals that broke like a collapsing dam after Harding's death proved that to be wrong. The Teapot Dome Scandal, in which Progressive Robert LaFollette unraveled Harding's involvement in an oil bribery scheme tanked the popularity of the Republicans. Further revelations involving affairs with his mistress damaged his standing and personal pride within the party, and the Democrats were, for the first time since Wilson, seen as having a real shot.
At first, Coolidge attempted to dispel these rumors, calling them out of proportion. But as they continued to unravel, the Republican Party itself came under particular ire, and Coolidge who had just defended Harding now attempted to seamlessly separate Harding's legacy and his presidency. This backfired tremendously, causing further outrage within the Republican Party which was slow to give up on their once-popular figurehead."
The Election of 1924
The Election of 1924 was one of the most hotly contested and unpopular presidencies in American history. At first, Harding's policies and popularity resulted in many labeling him as the likely, or even certain, choice for the 1924 Elections. After the Teapot Dome Scandal, Coolidge's association with Harding and the Republican Party, as well as Coolidge's handling of the scandal allowed for the Democrats to gain significant popularity outside their regional zone in the South. McAdoo was rather unpopular himself, as he was openly fraternizing with the Klu Klux Klan. McAdoo's support for Prohibition gained him significant popularity in the Midwest and New England.
Despite the humiliation of the Teapot Dome Scandal, McAdoo had unknowingly accepted money from Edward Dohney, who was implicated in the Scandal. Although McAdoo swore he had no involvement in the conspiracy, it gave Coolidge hope he could clinch the nomination.
However, Coolidge had criticized LaFollette for his involvement in exposing the Teapot Dome Scandal when the news first broke. To many, faced with the choice of Klan-backed McAdoo, and a conspiracy-wound Coolidge, Progressive Senator LaFollette quickly gathered popularity.
In early August 1924, LaFollette formally established the new 'Progressive Party' likening back to the old party of Theodore Roosevelt. Although Coolidge appointed Hiram Johnson his Vice President, many were still skeptical to how much Coolidge could actually live up to Progressive platforms, and few turned away from LaFollette for Johnson.
McAdoo and his running mate, Carter Glass, found little popularity outside the South, but hoped the division of the Republicans and Progressives would allow him to take the nomination.
Whichever faction won the elections, it would be a decisive vote. If McAdoo won, a pro-Klan Southern Democrat would be in charge of the nation, and push conservative, Pro-Prohibition policies across the country. If Coolidge won, he would have strong Progressive and Democratic opposition. If none of them achieved a majority, the House of Representatives would pick a candidate.
1924 Presidential Election
William G. McAdoo (D-CA)
271 Electoral votes
10,443,982 Popular votes
271 Electoral votes
10,443,982 Popular votes
Calvin Coolidge (R-VE)
238 Electoral votes
13,255,281 Popular votes
Robert LaFollette (P-WI)
33 Electoral votes
6,832,424 Popular votes
238 Electoral votes
13,255,281 Popular votes
Robert LaFollette (P-WI)
33 Electoral votes
6,832,424 Popular votes
Last edited: