History remembers many politicians who have ever stood at the meaningful helm of power. But not all of them left their mark in it. And certainly not every president can hear real laudatory odes, even after their death. That is how things are with the former head of the United States. What personality was Warren Harding? How did he earn public trust? What is famous for?
A few facts from the biography
Warren Harding is the 29th American president, born in early November 1865. His homeland is a small farmer's house located in Blooming Grove (Ohio). Warren's parents were ordinary agricultural workers who raised livestock and sold their vegetables from the vegetables on the market square.
He studied at a school near home. Leaving closer to the city center, went to study at a local college. During his studies, he helped parents on the farm, loved to read and invent non-existent fairy-tale characters.
Graduation and job search
At the end of his training, Warren Gamaliel Harding (his biography, as you see, is very stingy with a detailed description of his childhood) went to look for work. Initially, he wanted to engage in legal practice, but after experiencing certain disappointments, he decided to dramatically change his role. His choice fell on a small newspaper, which somehow worked. She herself was in a very deplorable state, since the editor-in-chief himself typed texts and at the same time handed out newspapers on the street.
It is difficult to say why this publishing house attracted the future president. But the experience of working in it helped him get a certain place in society. And although he began with the usual assistant editor, he very soon grew to a newspaper publisher. However, this place was not enough for his growing ambitions.
Immersion in a political abyss
As it turned out, Warren Harding attracted the attention of some influential people. They liked a young and ambitious person with excellent communication skills.
In their opinion, he was well suited for the role of state senator. So unexpectedly for ourselves, our hero accepted the offer of wealthy personalities and applied for participation in the elections. According to the results of the vote, it was he who was elected the head of Ohio.
Along with senatorial activities, the future guarantor of America received honorary membership in one of the most influential republican parties. And so began his political career Warren Harding.
Love or exact calculation?
In contrast to his growing career, politician Warren decided to take up his personal life. He was never famous for his special constancy, he loved a loose lifestyle and was not seen surrounded by the same woman. However, contrary to the prevailing image of a womanizer, our hero nevertheless decided to settle down. His choice fell on the divorced daughter of a rather large banker. Florence King was older than him, but behind her stood a wealthy and influential dad.
For the same reason, many said that this marriage is unequal, therefore, it was calculated. By the way, it is quite possible that our hero decided to seriously work on creating the image of an exemplary family man. It was he who was needed for certain purposes by the future president. Be that as it may, in 1891 Warren Gamaliel Harding made an offer to his chosen one, and they got married.
Presidential election and a grand victory
Having proved himself perfectly as a senator and as an active political figure in the ranks of the Republican party, our hero swung his arms at the presidency. As it turned out, not in vain. Having won a stunning victory, in March 1921 he entered into his guarantor rights. Who would have thought that now this is not the son of an ordinary farmer, but President Warren Harding. However, having received such an honorary title, our hero has not yet fully appreciated the seriousness of the burden that he was helped to shoulder. During his first speech, he solemnly promised that he would restore and improve the country in the near future.
But, as it turned out, his rule did not begin completely with what the head of the Republican Party expected from him. According to them, a slight bewilderment was caused by the appointment of some well-known politicians to senior positions. Among them were also many influential people who pay their respects to him in Ohio. Moreover, some, according to the indignant Republicans, had a very dubious reputation. For example, one of them was Fall. It was said about him that he was speculating in the sale of mines and land.
Warren Gamaliel (biography): first changes to the White House
Warren became the first president to open the doors of the White House to the public. According to him, he and his wife were ordinary people, so they did not consider it necessary to hide behind the walls of a government building. Thus, they took several steps in the direction of the ordinary people, which, of course, attracted citizens to themselves.
For the same reason, the doors of the White House were also open for the president’s friends, with whom he often played poker and drank whiskey. Warren Harding (US President) also restored relations with media representatives. That's why he often organized press conferences and participated in debates.
Changes at the state level
After settling all the formalities, Warren began to fulfill his obligations to voters. The first thing he did was change the tax and customs law. In them, he reduced rates and increased duties on agricultural products and industrial goods.
He further imposed restrictions on annual immigration. This time, Warren Harding set a quota according to which no more than 355, 825 people could stay on the territory of the country annually. He then authorized lending to farmers and signed a law on sales cooperation. Warren is one of the first presidents to take up the construction of federal roads. He signed an amnesty for previously convicted opponents of the war and publicly called for the restoration of the rights of black Americans.
Stormy discussions, scandals and squabbles in Congress
Since Harding Warren could not please everyone, especially since he did not understand at all some issues and relied on other people, he caused a flurry of criticism and mistrust from Congress. For example, some of its representatives wanted to achieve tax cuts for entrepreneurs, while others indicated that it was through businessmen that the state treasury was filled. Often, these contradictions forced the president to go on rash acts. For example, one of the examples is pension reform, which Warren ultimately had to veto because politicians failed to reach an agreement.
Bribery and corruption in power
As we already said, Warren Gamaliel Harding led the country with the help of a huge number of assistants. But they, like many officials, often played a double game. That is why most of them are mired in squabbles, scandals and bribery. One of the first to fall into corruption was Albert Fall, the acting Minister of Internal Resources. For this he was punished and placed under arrest.
The second significant scandal during the Harding reign was a case related to the Bureau of Veterans. This time, Charles Forbes became the reason for the new gossip, having appropriated $ 2 million intended to pay pensions and insurance to war veterans. It was to him that Harding helped to escape abroad, having previously deprived the influential post. However, the scandal could not be avoided, since Forbes's mistress, who was involved in the construction of hospitals for veterans at inflated prices, turned out to be the last fly in the ointment.
Health impairment
All these scandals and proceedings not only damaged the president’s reputation, but also greatly affected his state of health. For the first time, Harding Warren began to complain of malaise after returning from Alaska. There he attended the opening of the railway and talked to the press. After a short examination, it turned out that the president had certain problems with heart rhythm. Interrupting his carefully planned voyage, the head of America went on vacation in San Francisco. A few days after arrival, the president got worse. As it turned out, the cause of the ailments lay in the complications caused by pneumonia and heart failure.
Unexpected and mysterious death
After taking the medicine, the guarantor felt better. He listened to his wife’s reading, talked about fishing, and after some time died. According to his wife, a nurse found the immobilized body in the morning. She was shocked by his unnatural position and obvious signs of pain on his face. The death of the president plunged many Americans into a real shock. For a long time they mourned and recalled their guarantor exclusively in a positive way.
