AP US History
This was a campaign slogan used by Warren G. Harding during the 1920 U.S. Presidential election, promising a return to pre-World War I conditions and policies.
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The phrase "Return to Normalcy" was popularized by Warren G. Harding during his successful 1920 presidential campaign in the aftermath of World War I and the Spanish Influenza pandemic. The United States had undergone significant social and political changes, including the Progressive Era reforms and involvement in the Great War. Harding's message was a call for a return to the pre-war mentality and way of life, which many Americans found comforting.
Harding's "Return to Normalcy" resonated with a populace exhausted by war and upheaval, leading to his election as President. The concept reflected a broader desire for stability and conservatism after years of progressive reforms and international conflict. It marked a shift towards isolationism in U.S. foreign policy and a focus on domestic issues, setting the tone for American politics throughout the Roaring Twenties until the onset of the Great Depression challenged this sentiment.