The Republican Party reigned over the 1920s with three consecutive presidents–Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover. Big business was top priority in the 20s, and the nation’s leaders did little to harness the growth and power of large corporations.

Warren G. Harding (1920-1923)
Though he promised a “return to normalcy” after the war, Harding did little while in the presidency. Many believe he was elected because of his distinct charm rather than his political intelligence. During 1922 he unknowingly contributed to an elaborate oil scam known as the Teapot Dome Scandal, where members of his own cabinet were using the rights to public oil reserves for personal gain. He died of a heart attack in 1923, leaving behind one of the most corrupt administrations to ever occupy the White House.

Calvin Coolidge (1923-1928)
After Warren G. Harding’s death, “Silent Cal” Coolidge took office. He didn’t talk much, but his policy on big business spoke volumes. He actively promoted big business and set the stage for the Stock Market Crash in 1929. Coolidge was unhappy in the presidency and chose not to run for re-election in 1928.

Herbert Hoover (1928-1932)
Hoover finished out the 1920s as president. Known as a brilliant civil engineer, he vowed to banish poverty in America. However he was only months into his presidency when the stock market crashed and the country spiraled into the Great Depression. Though he worked to turn the economy around, his Smoot-Hawley Act placed tariffs on over 20,000 goods and started an international trade war. He also made the largest income tax increase in U.S. history– from 25% to 63%.