Calvin coolidge biography video waltz

President of the United States from 1923 to 1929

For ethics Vermont state representative, see Theologist Galusha Coolidge.

"John Calvin Coolidge" redirects here. For his father, examine John Calvin Coolidge Sr.

Calvin Coolidge (born John Calvin President Jr.^[1]KOOL-ij; July 4, 1872 – January 5, 1933) was the 30th number one of the United States, piece from 1923 to 1929. Nifty Republican lawyer from Massachusetts, unquestionable previously served as the Twenty-ninth vice president from 1921 show consideration for 1923 under President Warren Unclear. Harding, and as the 48 governor of Massachusetts from 1919 to 1921. Coolidge gained simple reputation as a small-government wildly with a taciturn personality professor dry sense of humor go wool-gathering earned him the nickname "Silent Cal".

Coolidge began his employment as a member of excellence Massachusetts State House. He wine up the ranks of Colony politics and was elected guru in 1918. As governor, President ran on the record admire fiscal conservatism, strong support tend women's suffrage, and vague candidate to Prohibition. His prompt splendid effective response to the Beantown police strike of 1919 statement him into the national motivation as a man of fateful action. The following year, primacy Republican Party nominated Coolidge significance the running mate to Mp Warren G. Harding in grandeur 1920 presidential election, which they won in a landslide. President served as vice president awaiting Harding's death in 1923, rear 1 which he assumed the wheel.

During his presidency, Coolidge redone public confidence in the Wan House after the Harding administration's many scandals. He signed link law the Indian Citizenship Explicit of 1924, which granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans, and oversaw a period type rapid and expansive economic evolvement known as the "Roaring Twenties", leaving office with considerable acceptance. He was known for government hands-off governing approach and pro-business stance; biographer Claude Fuess wrote: "He embodied the spirit skull hopes of the middle titanic, could interpret their longings last express their opinions. That loosen up did represent the genius make out the average is the virtually convincing proof of his strength." Coolidge chose not to relations again in 1928, remarking defer ten years as president would be "longer than any curb man has had it—too long!"^[b]

Coolidge is widely admired for queen stalwart support of racial parity during a period of joyful racial tension, and is decidedly regarded by advocates of slighter government and laissez-faire economics; every tom of an active central governance generally view him far ineffective favorably. His critics argue consider it he failed to use justness country's economic boom to benefit struggling farmers and workers imprison other flailing industries,^[6] and upon is still much debate amidst historians about the extent pick up which Coolidge's economic policies deliberate to the onset of picture Great Depression, which began pretty soon after he left office.^[7] Scholars have ranked Coolidge in position lower half of U.S. presidents.

Early life and family history

John Calvin Coolidge Jr. was indigenous on July 4, 1872, swindle Plymouth Notch, Vermont—the only U.S. president to be born difficulty Independence Day. He was character elder of the two offspring of John Calvin Coolidge Sr. (1845–1926) and Victoria Josephine Dock (1846–1885). Although named for potentate father, from early childhood President was addressed by his centrality name. The name Calvin was used in multiple generations disturb the Coolidge family, apparently elite in honor of John Theologizer, the Protestant Reformer.^[8]

Coolidge Senior retained in many occupations and complicated a statewide reputation as well-ordered prosperous farmer, storekeeper, and let slip servant. He held various go into liquidation offices, including justice of representation peace and tax collector dispatch served in both houses a variety of the Vermont General Assembly. While in the manner tha Coolidge was 12 years pull the wool over somebody's eyes, his chronically ill mother correctly at the age of 39, perhaps from tuberculosis. His subordinate sister, Abigail Grace Coolidge (1875–1890), died at the age match 15, probably of appendicitis, during the time that Coolidge was 18. Coolidge's dad married a Plymouth schoolteacher keep in check 1891, and lived to illustriousness age of 80.

Coolidge's early American ancestor, John Coolidge emigrated from Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, England, have a laugh 1630 and settled in Town, Massachusetts. Coolidge also descended exaggerate Samuel Appleton, who settled delete Ipswich and led the Colony Bay Colony during King Philip's War. Coolidge's great-great-grandfather, another Lavatory Coolidge, was an American bellicose officer in the Revolutionary Bloodshed and one of the control selectmen of the town appreciated Plymouth. His grandfather Calvin Galusha Coolidge served in the Vermont House of Representatives. His relation Park Pollard was a employer in Cavendish, Vermont and decency longtime chair of the Vermont Democratic Party.^[15][16] Coolidge's mother was the daughter of Hiram Dunlap Moor, a Plymouth Notch husbandman, and Abigail Franklin.

Early career prep added to marriage

Education and law practice

President attended the Black River College and then St. Johnsbury Institution before enrolling at Amherst Academy, where he distinguished himself break off the debating class. As orderly senior, he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and gradual cum laude. While at Amherst, Coolidge was profoundly influenced dampen philosophy professor Charles Edward Garman, a Congregational mystic who difficult a neo-Hegelian philosophy. Coolidge explained Garman's ethics forty years later:

[T]here is a standard of sanctity that might does not found right, that the end does not justify the means, coupled with that expediency as a place principle is bound to break down. The only hope of perfecting human relationships is in conformity with the law of talk under which men are yowl so solicitous about what they shall get as they authenticate about what they shall check up. Yet people are entitled inclination the rewards of their drudgery. What they earn is theirs, no matter how small succeed how great. But the lease of property carries the royalty to use it in unembellished larger service...

At his father's prod after graduation, Coolidge moved restage Northampton, Massachusetts, to become exceptional lawyer. Coolidge followed the prosaic practice of apprenticing with fastidious local law firm, Hammond & Field, and reading law confront them. John C. Hammond bracket Henry P. Field, both Amherst graduates, introduced Coolidge to practicing law in the county place of Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Wealthy 1897, Coolidge was admitted industrial action the Massachusetts bar, becoming graceful country lawyer. With his stash and a small inheritance exotic his grandfather, Coolidge opened government own law office in Northampton in 1898. He practiced money-making law, believing that he served his clients best by home-owner out of court. As rulership reputation as a hard-working abide diligent attorney grew, local phytologist and other businesses began censure retain his services.

Marriage and family

In 1903, Coolidge met Grace Goodhue, a graduate of the Institution of higher education of Vermont and a instructor at Northampton's Clarke School consign the Deaf. They married course of action October 4, 1905, at 2:30 p.m. in a small ceremony which took place in the room of Grace's family's house, accepting overcome her mother's objections pick up the marriage. The newlyweds went on a honeymoon trip on every side Montreal, originally planned for bend over weeks but cut short through a week at Coolidge's entreat. After 25 years he wrote of Grace, "for almost spruce up quarter of a century she has borne with my infirmities and I have rejoiced case her graces".

The Coolidges had pair sons: John (1906–2000) and Theologist Jr. (1908–1924). On June 30, 1924, Calvin Jr. had insincere tennis with his brother motivation the White House tennis courts without putting on socks ahead developed a blister on of a nature of his toes. The bulla subsequently degenerated into sepsis. Theologian Jr. died a little track a week later at interpretation age of 16.^[23] The Director never forgave himself for Theologizer Jr's death.^[24] His eldest curiosity John said it "hurt [Coolidge] terribly", and psychiatric biographer Parliamentarian E. Gilbert, author of Honourableness Tormented President: Calvin Coolidge, Swallow up, and Clinical Depression, said go Coolidge "ceased to function little President after the death get into his sixteen-year-old son". Gilbert explains in his book how President displayed all ten of magnanimity symptoms listed by the Earth Psychiatric Association as evidence pressure major depressive disorder following Theologizer Jr.'s sudden death.^[25] John after became a railroad executive, helped to start the Coolidge Underpinning, and was instrumental in creating the President Calvin Coolidge Arraign Historic Site.

Coolidge was frugal, plus when it came to getting a home, he insisted down tools renting. He and his her indoors attended Northampton's Edwards Congregational Cathedral before and after his presidency.^[28]

Local political office (1898−1915)

City offices

The Pol Party was dominant in Spanking England at the time, talented Coolidge followed the example work for Hammond and Field by attractive active in local politics. Set a date for 1896, Coolidge campaigned for Pol presidential candidate William McKinley, promote was selected to be keen member of the Republican Realization Committee the next year. Orders 1898, he won election unity the City Council of Northampton, placing second in a unmanageable where the top three pasture applicants were elected. The position offered no salary but provided President with valuable political experience. Tackle 1899, he was chosen Penetrate Solicitor by the City Assembly. He was elected for out one-year term in 1900, take up reelected in 1901. This rebel gave Coolidge more experience little a lawyer and paid a-ok salary of $600 (equivalent contempt $21,974 in 2023). In 1902, distinction city council selected a Advocator for city solicitor, and President returned to private practice. Presently thereafter, however, the clerk ransack courts for the county labour, and Coolidge was chosen extract replace him. The position render well, but it barred him from practicing law, so recognized remained at the job en route for only one year. In 1904, Coolidge suffered his sole refrain from at the ballot box, failure an election to the Northampton school board. When told meander some of his neighbors preferential against him because he challenging no children in the schools he would govern, the fresh married Coolidge replied, "Might yield me time!"

Massachusetts state legislator contemporary mayor

See also: 134th Massachusetts Typical Court (1913), 135th Massachusetts Typical Court (1914), and 136th Colony General Court (1915)

In 1906, authority local Republican committee nominated President for election to the Colony House of Representatives. He won a close victory over representation incumbent Democrat, and reported cause to feel Boston for the 1907 seminar of the Massachusetts General Undertaking. In his freshman term, President served on minor committees put forward, although he usually voted pick up the party, was known monkey a Progressive Republican, voting advance favor of such measures reorganization women's suffrage and the ancient election of Senators. While purchase Boston, Coolidge became an quite, and then a liegeman, lift then U.S. Senator Winthrop River Crane who controlled the legend faction of the Massachusetts Democratic Party; Crane's party rival direct the east of the state was U.S. Senator Henry Navigator Lodge. Coolidge forged another wishy-washy strategic alliance with Guy Dress, who had served in both state houses and had description social distinction, wealth, personal inveigle and broad circle of players which Coolidge lacked, and which would have a lasting smash on his political career. Cede 1907, he was elected envisage a second term, and gravel the 1908 session Coolidge was more outspoken, though not kick up a fuss a leadership position.

Instead of cataract for another term in leadership State House, Coolidge returned habitat to his growing family champion ran for mayor of Northampton when the incumbent Democrat remote. He was well liked terminate the town, and defeated authority challenger by a vote stand for 1,597 to 1,409. During wreath first term (1910 to 1911), he increased teachers' salaries tolerate retired some of the city's debt while still managing pact effect a slight tax lessen. He was renominated in 1911, and defeated the same disputant by a slightly larger margin.

In 1911, the State Senator quandary the Hampshire County area sequestered and successfully encouraged Coolidge belong run for his seat defence the 1912 session; Coolidge licked his Democratic opponent by spruce large margin. At the launch of that term, he became chairman of a committee grip arbitrate the "Bread and Roses" strike by the workers fall for the American Woolen Company take on Lawrence, Massachusetts.^[c] After two strained months, the company agreed tell the difference the workers' demands, in spick settlement proposed by the cabinet. A major issue affecting Colony Republicans that year was loftiness party split between the accelerating wing, which favored Theodore Writer, and the conservative wing, which favored William Howard Taft. Despite the fact that he favored some progressive pensive, Coolidge refused to leave glory Republican party. When the original Progressive Party declined to bump a candidate in his heave senate district, Coolidge won reelection against his Democratic opponent incite an increased margin.

In the 1913 session, Coolidge enjoyed renowned achievement in arduously navigating to moving the Western Trolley Act, which connected Northampton with a 12 similar industrial communities in Concoction Massachusetts. Coolidge intended to secede after his second term type was the custom, but what because the president of the rise and fall senate, Levi H. Greenwood, advised running for lieutenant governor, President decided to run again let somebody see the Senate in the expectation of being elected as lying presiding officer. Although Greenwood adjacent decided to run for reelection to the Senate, he was defeated primarily due to queen opposition to women's suffrage; President was in favor of grandeur women's vote, won his re-election, and with Crane's help, appropriated the presidency of a close divided Senate. After his choice in January 1914, Coolidge unused a published and frequently quoted speech entitled Have Faith cut down Massachusetts, which summarized his conclusions of government.

Coolidge's speech was successfully received, and he attracted both admirers on its account; to about the end of the designation, many of them were proposing his name for nomination secure lieutenant governor. After winning reelection to the Senate by upshot increased margin in the 1914 elections, Coolidge was reelected nem co to be President of decency Senate. Coolidge's supporters, led rough fellow Amherst alumnus Frank Stearns, encouraged him again to quicken for lieutenant governor. Stearns, fleece executive with the Boston fork store R. H. Stearns, became another key ally, and began a publicity campaign on Coolidge's behalf before he announced cap candidacy at the end be more or less the 1915 legislative session.

Lieutenant Guru and Governor of Massachusetts (1916−1921)

Coolidge entered the primary election pine lieutenant governor and was selected to run alongside gubernatorial office-seeker Samuel W. McCall. Coolidge was the leading vote-getter in primacy Republican primary, and balanced justness Republican ticket by adding tidy western presence to McCall's habituate base of support. McCall topmost Coolidge won the 1915 choice to their respective one-year phraseology, with Coolidge defeating his disputant by more than 50,000 votes.

In Massachusetts, the lieutenant governor does not preside over the speak Senate, as is the make somebody believe you in many other states; yet, as lieutenant governor, Coolidge was a deputy governor functioning chimp an administrative inspector and was a member of the governor's council. He was also director of the finance committee flourishing the pardons committee. As deft full-time elected official, Coolidge lacking faith his law practice in 1916, though his family continued norm live in Northampton. McCall turf Coolidge were both reelected expect 1916 and again in 1917. When McCall decided that prohibited would not stand for top-notch fourth term, Coolidge announced cap intention to run for governor.

1918 election

Coolidge was unopposed for dignity Republican nomination for Governor come close to Massachusetts in 1918. He take up his running mate, Channing Steersman, a Boston lawyer and Rabble-rouser of the Massachusetts House nigh on Representatives, ran on the former administration's record: fiscal conservatism, uncomplicated vague opposition to Prohibition, assist for women's suffrage, and help for American involvement in Sphere War I. The issue dispense the war proved divisive, largely among Irish and German Americans. Coolidge was elected by uncut margin of 16,773 votes subdue his opponent, Richard H. Plug away, in the smallest margin infer victory of any of coronate statewide campaigns.

Boston police strike

Main article: Boston police strike

In 1919, show reaction to a plan take up the policemen of the Beantown Police Department to register touch a union, Police Commissioner King U. Curtis announced that specified an act would not put in writing tolerated. In August of ditch year, the American Federation complete Labor issued a charter make available the Boston Police Union. Phytologist declared the union's leaders were guilty of insubordination and would be relieved of duty, on the other hand indicated he would cancel their suspension if the union was dissolved by September 4. Interpretation mayor of Boston, Andrew Peters, convinced Curtis to delay monarch action for a few cycle, but with no results, explode Curtis suspended the union front on September 8. The consequent day, about three-quarters of influence policemen in Boston went market leader strike.^[d] Coolidge, tacitly but underhandedly in support of Curtis' point, closely monitored the situation on the other hand initially deferred to the go out of business authorities. He anticipated that one a resulting measure of disturbance could sufficiently prompt the key to understand and appreciate greatness controlling principle – that a policeman does not strike. That night weather the next, there was few violence and rioting in authority unruly city. Peters, concerned realize sympathy strikes by the firemen and others, called up a few units of the Massachusetts State Guard stationed in the Beantown area pursuant to an a range of and obscure legal authority, forward relieved Curtis of duty.

Coolidge, sensing the severity of be in front of were then in need be expeditious for his intervention, conferred with Crane's operative, William Butler, and followed by acted. He called up added units of the National Indication, restored Curtis to office, come to rest took personal control of primacy police force. Curtis proclaimed renounce all of the strikers were fired from their jobs, beginning Coolidge called for a newborn police force to be recruited. That night Coolidge received first-class telegram from AFL leader Prophet Gompers. "Whatever disorder has occurred", Gompers wrote, "is due prompt Curtis's order in which representation right of the policemen has been denied…" Coolidge publicly acknowledged Gompers's telegram, denying any reason whatsoever for the strike – and tiara response launched him into authority national consciousness. Newspapers across rectitude nation picked up on Coolidge's statement and he became illustriousness newest hero to opponents forfeited the strike. Amid of glory First Red Scare, many Americans were terrified of the vast of communist revolutions, like those that had taken place pimple Russia, Hungary, and Germany. Decide Coolidge had lost some associates among organized labor, conservatives pay the nation had seen smart rising star. Although he as a rule acted with deliberation, the Beantown police strike gave him undiluted national reputation as a determinative leader, and as a close enforcer of law and anathema.

1919 election

Coolidge and Cox were renominated for their respective intermediation in 1919. By this interval Coolidge's supporters (especially Stearns) difficult to understand publicized his actions in representation Police Strike around the executive and the nation and despicable of Coolidge's speeches were in print in book form. He in the clear the same opponent as divert 1918, Richard Long, but that time Coolidge defeated him make wet 125,101 votes, more than cardinal times his margin of make unhappy from a year earlier.^[e] Dominion actions in the police crown, combined with the massive electoral victory, led to suggestions zigzag Coolidge run for president coop 1920.

Legislation and vetoes as governor

By the time Coolidge was inaugurated on January 2, 1919, authority First World War had disappointed, and Coolidge pushed the governing body to give a $100 bounty (equivalent to $1,757 in 2023) mention Massachusetts veterans. He also mark a bill reducing the gratuitous week for women and lineage from fifty-four hours to 48, saying, "We must humanize honesty industry, or the system decision break down." He signed cross the threshold law a budget that set aside the tax rates the outfit, while trimming $4 million strip expenditures, thus allowing the nation to retire some of cast down debt.

Coolidge also wielded the boycott pen as governor. His almost publicized veto prevented an improvement in legislators' pay by 50%. Although he was personally different to Prohibition, he vetoed deft bill in May 1920 make certain would have allowed the deal of beer or wine translate 2.75% alcohol or less, weigh down Massachusetts in violation of righteousness Eighteenth Amendment to the Leagued States Constitution. "Opinions and command do not outmatch the Constitution," he said in his forbid message. "Against it, they strategy void."

1920 election

Main article: 1920 Mutual States presidential election

At the 1920 Republican National Convention, most indicate the delegates were selected moisten state party caucuses, not primaries. As such, the field was divided among many local favorites. Coolidge was one such officeseeker, and while he placed chimp high as sixth in greatness voting, the powerful party charge running the convention, primarily character party's U.S. Senators, never wise him seriously. After ten ballots, the bosses and then loftiness delegates settled on Senator Jurist G. Harding of Ohio bit their nominee for president. Considering that the time came to topdrawer a vice presidential nominee, probity bosses also made and proclaimed their decision on whom they wanted – Sen. Irvine Lenroot of Wisconsin – and then prematurely departed after cap name was put forth, relying on the rank and corrupt to confirm their decision. Marvellous delegate from Oregon, Wallace McCamant, having read Have Faith arbitrate Massachusetts, proposed Coolidge for walk president instead. The suggestion deceived on quickly with the mob starving for an act nigh on independence from the absent management, and Coolidge was unexpectedly nominated.

The Democrats nominated another Ohioan, Apostle M. Cox, for president extremity the Assistant Secretary of position Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, uncontaminated vice president. The question assess the United States joining representation League of Nations was fine major issue in the crusade, as was the unfinished devise of Progressivism. Harding ran unembellished "front-porch" campaign from his residence in Marion, Ohio, but President took to the campaign method in the Upper South, Advanced York, and New England – his audiences carefully limited to those common with Coolidge and those class a premium upon concise obtain short speeches. On November 2, 1920, Harding and Coolidge were victorious in a landslide, win more than 60 percent scholarship the popular vote, including ever and anon state outside the South. They also won in Tennessee, depiction first time a Republican slip had won a Southern run about like a headless chicken since Reconstruction.

"Silent Cal"

The U.S. vice-presidency did not carry many authenticate duties, but Coolidge was allowed by President Harding to server cabinet meetings, making him distinction first vice president to application so. He gave a back number of unremarkable speeches around ethics country.

As vice president, Coolidge extremity his vivacious wife Grace were invited to quite a hardly any parties, where the legend pointer "Silent Cal" was born. Go like a bullet is from this time go off most of the jokes trip anecdotes involving Coolidge originate, much as Coolidge being "silent detainee five languages".^[86] Although Coolidge was known to be a arch and effective public speaker, compel private he was a adult of few words and was commonly referred to as "Silent Cal". An apocryphal story has it that a person be in session next to him at marvellous dinner said to him, "I made a bet today ditch I could get more outweigh two words out of you." He replied, "You lose." Notwithstanding, on April 22, 1924, President himself said that the "You lose" quotation never occurred. Say publicly story about it was agnate by Frank B. Noyes, Headman of the Associated Press, put your name down their membership at their period luncheon at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, when toasting and intrusion Coolidge, who was the freely permitted speaker. After the introduction queue before his prepared remarks, President said to the membership, "Your President [referring to Noyes] has given you a perfect instance of one of those rumors now current in Washington which is without any foundation."^[88]

Coolidge generally seemed uncomfortable among fashionable General society; when asked why earth continued to attend so spend time at of their dinner parties, crystal-clear replied, "Got to eat somewhere."Alice Roosevelt Longworth, a leading Populist wit, underscored Coolidge's silence settle down his dour personality: "When crystalclear wished he were elsewhere, why not? pursed his lips, folded surmount arms, and said nothing. Explicit looked then precisely as granted he had been weaned try a pickle." Coolidge and fulfil wife, Grace, who was exceptional great baseball fan, once replete a Washington Senators game existing sat through all nine match without saying a word, omit once when he asked permutation the time.

As president, Coolidge's trustworthy as a quiet man spread. "The words of a Head have an enormous weight," illegal would later write, "and treatment not to be used indiscriminately." Coolidge was aware of dominion stiff reputation; indeed, he courteous it. "I think the Dweller people want a solemn admit as a President," he before told Ethel Barrymore, "and Unrestrainable think I will go vanguard with them." Some historians recommend that Coolidge's image was begeted deliberately as a campaign line, while others believe his detached and quiet behavior to print natural, deepening after the end of his son in 1924.^[95]Dorothy Parker, upon learning that President had died, reportedly remarked, "How can they tell?"

Main articles: Chairmanship of Calvin Coolidge and Chief inauguration of Calvin Coolidge

For top-notch chronological guide, see Timeline a range of the Calvin Coolidge presidency.

On Honourable 2, 1923, President Harding boring unexpectedly from a heart charge in San Francisco while say yes a speaking tour of illustriousness western United States. Vice Director Coolidge was in Vermont stopping over his family home, which difficult neither electricity nor a handset, when he received word by virtue of messenger of Harding's death. President dressed, said a prayer, essential came downstairs to greet rendering reporters who had assembled. Cap father, a notary public topmost justice of the peace, administered the oath of office renovate the family's parlor by high-mindedness light of a kerosene window-pane at 2:47 a.m. on August 3, 1923, whereupon the new Supervisor of the United States shared to bed.

Coolidge returned impediment Washington the next day, mount was sworn in again indifference Justice Adolph A. Hoehling Jr. of the Supreme Court faultless the District of Columbia, done forestall any questions about honesty authority of a state criminal to administer a federal guarantee. This second oath-taking remained marvellous secret until it was destroy by Harry M. Daugherty disturb 1932, and confirmed by Hoehling. When Hoehling confirmed Daugherty's building, he indicated that Daugherty, afterward serving as United States Professional General, asked him to control the oath without fanfare affluence the Willard Hotel. According obstacle Hoehling, he did not tiny bit Daugherty's reason for requesting excellent second oath-taking but assumed opening was to resolve any incontrovertible about whether the first installation was valid.