Summary of the Life Described by the Authors John Calvin Coolidge Jr. served as the 30th President of the United States of America from 1923 to 1929. Coolidge is best known for leading the nation through the prosperous Roaring Twenties. Due to President Harding’s unexpected death, Coolidge took office on August 3, 1923. He went on to win the next election, serving as president for a total of six years. Coolidge provided stability for Americans in an era of dynamic modernization. His nickname is “Silent Cal” for his quiet nature. Coolidge was a conservative Republican president, who promoted laissez-faire policies in favor of free business practice. According to author Robert Sobel, Coolidge is generally seen as a political naif who did little
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Many of his beliefs of conservatism are captured in his speeches. One of his best-known speeches is the Speech on the 150th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Liberals have attacked the Declaration of Independence by stating it is merely a document to break free from Great Britain, therefore the Founding Fathers of America did not believe that the principles laid down in the Declaration are absolute. Coolidge responded by stating that the Declaration’s principles “[are] the product of the spiritual insight of the people.” He believed that the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all are absolute truths believed by the people at the time. He also talked about how governments are merely instruments created by men to sustain those ideals, and that those ideals are not created by the government, but by the people. Coolidge was also a traditional constitutionalist; he clearly stated his stance on the American Constitution, “ To live under the American Constitution is the greatest political privilege.” Coolidge believed that America stood for the correct values and should, therefore, set the example of magnanimity in both domestic and foreign …show more content…
His father held multiple offices including a seat in the Vermont House of Representatives and Senate. His education in high school and college helped him deal with the challenges in holding multiple offices and serving as President. As President, the Roaring Twenties shaped his administration. During a time of prosperity and transformation of culture, Coolidge served as a leader that people looked to for stability. Because of his actions in cleaning up any signs of corruption with the Harding administration, and his demeanor as a quiet and frugal President, he provided a comforting style of virtue that brought confidence in the White
Many of his beliefs of conservatism are captured in his speeches. One of his best-known speeches is the Speech on the 150th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Liberals have attacked the Declaration of Independence by stating it is merely a document to break free from Great Britain, therefore the Founding Fathers of America did not believe that the principles laid down in the Declaration are absolute. Coolidge responded by stating that the Declaration’s principles “[are] the product of the spiritual insight of the people.” He believed that the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all are absolute truths believed by the people at the time. He also talked about how governments are merely instruments created by men to sustain those ideals, and that those ideals are not created by the government, but by the people. Coolidge was also a traditional constitutionalist; he clearly stated his stance on the American Constitution, “ To live under the American Constitution is the greatest political privilege.” Coolidge believed that America stood for the correct values and should, therefore, set the example of magnanimity in both domestic and foreign …show more content…
His father held multiple offices including a seat in the Vermont House of Representatives and Senate. His education in high school and college helped him deal with the challenges in holding multiple offices and serving as President. As President, the Roaring Twenties shaped his administration. During a time of prosperity and transformation of culture, Coolidge served as a leader that people looked to for stability. Because of his actions in cleaning up any signs of corruption with the Harding administration, and his demeanor as a quiet and frugal President, he provided a comforting style of virtue that brought confidence in the White