Presidents of the United States in the 1920s: A Comprehensive Overview

During the 1920s, the United States experienced significant political, economic, and social changes. This decade saw the presidents who would lead the nation through a period of relative prosperity and growing conservatism. Here is a detailed look at the four US presidents in office between January 1, 1920, and December 31, 1929.

Woodrow Wilson: The Early Years of the Decade

Woodrow Wilson’s presidency began in the early 1920s, starting on March 4, 1921. However, his impact on the decade was already being felt much earlier. Wilson, a Democrat, was in office from 1910 to 1921, and his tenure was marked by significant events, including World War I and the resulting global changes. In 1919, he suffered a debilitating stroke, which left him severely incapacitated and unable to perform his duties effectively. His popularity also declined due to controversial legislation such as the Sedition Act and his role in the first Red Scare of 1919.

Warren G. Harding: The Call for Return to Normalcy

Warren G. Harding became the president after Wilson and served from January 1921 to 1923. He won the 1920 election in a landslide, running on a platform of a “return to normalcy.” This slogan resonated with the American public, who were seeking a break from the progressive policies of the previous three presidents. Despite his initial popularity, Harding faced numerous challenges, including a brief term in office and a tragic death. His tenure was overshadowed by the Teapot Dome Scandal, a corruption scandal that further disgraced his presidency.

Calvin Coolidge: The Era of Cool Cal

Calvin Coolidge served as the vice president under Warren G. Harding and became president upon Harding’s death in 1923. Before his presidency, Coolidge's birth name was John Calvin Coolidge Jr., and he was often referred to as “Silent Cal” due to his reserved demeanor. Coolidge believed in limited government and his presidency reflected the national mood during the 1920s, a period known as the Roaring Twenties. He was elected to the full term in 1924 and served until March 4, 1929. To this day, limited-government conservatives and libertarians generally rank Coolidge as one of the better presidents in American history.

Herbert Hoover: Sadness at the End of the Decade

Calvin Coolidge did not seek re-election in 1928, and Herbert Hoover, a Republican and the Secretary of Commerce under Coolidge, succeeded him. Hoover took office in 1929 and saw the stock market crash just five months later, which heralded the beginning of the Great Depression. Hoover initially pledged to continue Coolidge’s policies but later tried to use government intervention to revitalize the economy. However, his efforts were largely unsuccessful, and he lost the presidential election in 1932 to Franklin D. Roosevelt, marking the end of the Coolidge-Hoover era.

TLDR: Key Points

Woodrow Wilson: 1920-1921 (Debilitating stroke in 1919, declining popularity) Warren G. Harding: 1921-1923 (Teapot Dome Scandal, tragic death) Calvin Coolidge: 1923-1929 (Limited government, Roaring Twenties) Herbert Hoover: 1929-1933 (During the Great Depression, ineffective interventions)

The 1920s, as seen through the presidencies of Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover, were a period of significant change in the United States. While each president left their mark on history, their legacies were shaped by the events and attitudes of the decade.