Warren Harding and the Alaskan Rail Trip
Author Bob Withers talked about the trains that played a part in the presidency of Warren Harding. He’s the author of "The President Travels by Train: Politics and Pullmans." The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library hosted this virtual event.
Description
Author Bob Withers talked about the trains that played a part in the presidency of Warren Harding. He’s the author of "The President Travels by Train: Politics and Pullmans." The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library hosted this virtual event.
Bell Ringer Assignment
- According to Robert Holzweiss, why did President Warren Harding travel to Alaska in 1923?
- Based on the clip, what new technology did Harding benefit from?
- How did Harding's communication with the public differ from his presidential campaign to his presidency itself?
- Summarize the anecdote that Bob Withers shares about Harding's 1920 campaign trip. What feat did Harding's opponent, James Cox, accomplish during his campaign?
- According to Withers, what was the significance of the Alaskan Gold Spike?
- What happened to Harding after his visit to Alaska?
Additional Resources
- Bell Ringer: Early 1900s Presidential Train Travel
- Bell Ringer: History of Union Station in Washington, DC
- Bell Ringer: Wyoming Railroads
- Bell Ringer: President Warren Harding - Biography
- Bell Ringer: 20th Century Train Travel in Central Vermont
- Bell Ringer: First Lady Florence Harding and the Front Porch Campaign
- On This Day: Transcontinental Railroad
Participants
Vocabulary
- Democrat
- President
- Republican
- Voice Amplification