State Historical Society of Iowa

"Readjustment" Speech by Warren G. Harding, 1920

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, Harding, Warren G., "Readjustment," 1920

Description 

The audio is from a speech by Warren G. Harding. Harding is calling for a return to normalcy following the end of World War I.

Transcript of Warren G. Harding's "Readjustment" Speech

Source-Dependent Questions

  • Consider the following quotation, "It's one thing to battle successfully against the world's domination by a military autocracy because the infinite God never intended such a program; but it's quite another thing to revise human nature and suspend the fundamental laws of life and all of life's requirements." How did Warren G. Harding characterize the United States’ rationale used for entering World War I? Is this fair considering the rationale given for fighting before the war?
  • What did Harding feel was the best way "... to make democracy safe for the world than all armed conflict ever recorded?"
  • What role does Harding argue the United States should take following World War I? Support your answer using evidence from the document.

Citation Information 

Harding, Warren G., "Readjustment," 1920. Courtesy of Library of Congress