chapter_12_section_3_notes.ppt | |
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Calvin Coolidge
After Harding's death in 1923, Coolidge became President and was elected pretty easily in 1924. The economy had gotten a lot better, and the public wanted to stick with the leader that seemed to be steering it in the right direction. In addition, Coolidge was a highly visible leader, holding press conferences, speaking on the radio, and being photographed at every opportunity possible.
Politically, Coolidge believed in a small natiional government and not getting involved in very many issues. He believed that most political action should be taken by the U.S. Congress or handled by each state individually. His main concern was to try to continue to improve the economy by lowering taxes (especially for rich people), reducing government regulations on businesses, and balancing the budget. During his five years in office, "Coolidge Prosperity" seemed very real. It wasn't. We will learn more about the economy crashing (and causes of that happening) in Chapter 14.
Coolidge had many of the same foreign policy beliefs as Harding, and kept many of his advisors. He believed that the U.S. should trade more with foreign countries. In addition, he thought the U.S. should not get involved with any alliances
(like the League of Nations). He supported the 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact that basically said war was wrong and should never occur, a largely symbolic gesture.
Coolidge chose not to run for a second term in 1928 (he was very popular at the time and probably would have won easily) because he thought it was wrong for anybody to President for more than 8 years. Another thing that impacted his decision was the death of one of his teenage sons four years earlier. He wanted to spend more time with his family and simply imagined he would be happier in retirement.
By the early 1930s, most of the American public changed their views on Coolidge and blamed him (at least in part) for the Great Depression.
Economic "Boom" times during the Coolidge presidency
This clip discusses Coolidge becoming President and his popularity, the impact of the automobile (and assembly lines) on American society, oversupply from farmers (discussed in Chpt. 13), and "modern" technology like telephones and radios being bought on credit. The last minute (on Lindbergh) is discussed in greater detail in chapter 13. This is the 3rd video clip that we watched in class that had ?s that went along with it.