U.S. presidential election, 1920

The U.S. presidential election of 1920 was dominated by the aftermath of World War I. The wartime boom had collapsed. Diplomats and politicians were arguing over peace treaties and the question of America's entry into the League of Nations. Overseas there were wars and revolutions; at home there were strikes, riots, and a growing fear of radicals and terrorists. Disillusionment was in the air.

General election

Campaign

The election was primarily decided by the unpopularity of Wilson and the League of Nations. Harding allied himself with the America First movement which eschewed internationalism. Cox campaigned on a platform advocating additional social reforms to address the economic slump following World War I. Cox pursued a campaign strategy that took him to the people for rallys, train station speeches, and formal addresses. While Harding did give seventeen speeches via rail travel, the campaign instead relied upon a "Front Porch Campaign" which brought thousands of America into Marion, Ohio where Harding spoke from his home.

Related Topics:
League of Nations - America First - World War I - Marion, Ohio

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On election night, November 2, 1920, commercial radio broadcast coverage of election returns for the first time. Announcers at KDKA AM, Pittsburgh, read telegraph ticker results over the air as they came in. This single station (with few competitors on the airwaves) could be heard over most of the Eastern United States by the small percentage of the population that had radio receivers.

Related Topics:
November 2 - 1920 - Radio - KDKA AM - Pittsburgh

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This was the first election in which all women were allowed to vote, following the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in August 1920.

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Tennessee's vote for Warren G. Harding marked the first time since the end of Reconstruction that one of the 11 states of the Confederacy had voted for a Republican.

Related Topics:
Tennessee - Reconstruction - Confederacy - Republican

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Source: Library of Congress

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Results

Source (Popular Vote): {{Leip PV source 2| year=1920| as of=July 28, 2005}}

Related Topics:
July 28 - 2005

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Source (Electoral Vote): {{National Archives EV source| year=1920| as of=July 31, 2005}}

Related Topics:
July 31 - 2005

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