Born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont in 1872, Calvin Coolidge made his mark in life by making his way through the government ranks. He saw himself as a progressive republican and was elected to be president of the United States in 1920. Also known as “Silent Cal”, Coolidge didn’t decide that he wanted to run for a second term, but that doesn’t mean that his first term didn’t bring a variety of benefits. As the President, he was able to make significant headway with businesses and taxes. He had originally run for vice president but through the passing of President Harding, Coolidge was elected as the President of the United States.
1. Dealing with Boston Police Strike
This event surely made his foundation for his presidential run as in 1919, Coolidge gained national attention for his eloquence while dealing with a strike with the Boston police department. They were striking because the commissioner would not allow them to become unionized with the American Federation of Labor. Coolidge ultimately called the National Guard and dealt with the AFL leader to come to a resolution.
2. Restricting Immigration
Depending on your stance pertaining to immigration, this can be seen as an accomplishment or a defeat. After being named president because of the passing of President Harding, Calvin Coolidge signed his name on the Immigration Act. It stated that all immigration from individuals in Southern and Eastern European countries would be stopped.
3. His Part in the Roaring Twenties
In the 1920’s there were many regulations passed such as the ban on alcohol and Coolidge had a very laissez-faire ideology to where he disdained any type of regulations that were made, aside from liking the tariffs that they brought. There are many historians that believe his ideology could be the sole reason for the development of the Great Depression, though others at that time appreciated his ability to understand the benefits of the entire decade.
4. Understanding Civil Rights
Calvin Coolidge was one of the first presidents to acknowledge civil rights and made a large movement in government offices. He refused to hire anyone that was a known member of the KKK in his office and he also gave government jobs to African Americans. Coolidge was also renowned for his dislike of lynching laws and with his signature on the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act, he gave citizenship to all of the Native American residents in the United States so that they could remain in the country with their rights to tribal land.