How Did John Calvin Coolidge Influence The American People

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“Don't expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong” (Coolidge qtd Brainyquote). President Calvin Coolidge said this about increasing taxes on the wealthy. He cut taxes four times, because he felt excessive taxation is nothing more than a restriction upon the freedom of the American people. Former President Calvin Coolidge and future President Donald Trump both can and have run businesses efficiently, even though their personalities differ extremely.

John Calvin Coolidge was born in Plymouth Notch, Windsor county, Vermont, on July 4, 1872 to John Calvin Coolidge Sr. and Victoria Josephine Moor. His father had a statewide reputation as a farmer, storekeeper, and public servant. He was also a tax collector and he served in the Vermont House of Representatives as well as the Vermont Senate (“ “). President Coolidge’s mother stayed at home with her two children until she died when he was only twelve years old. His sister Abigail Grace Coolidge died at the age of fifteen due to appendicitis when Coolidge was eighteen. Also, at the age of eighteen, he changed his name from John Calvin Coolidge to Calvin Coolidge. President Coolidge lived a very wealthy childhood in which he learned about many political offices through his father. He attended Black River Academy as a child and then later attended Amherst College. While at college, he distinguished himself from the others in his debate class. After college, Coolidge moved to Northampton, Massachusetts to become a lawyer. He then became an apprentice at the local law firm to avoid the cost of law school. The law firm Hammond & Field was where John Hammond and Henry Field introduced him to law practice in Hampshire County(“ “). In 1905 Coolidge met Grace Anna Goodhue, who was a teacher at the Clarke School for the Deaf. They hit it off right away, marrying later in the year. Though she did not succeed, Goodhue’s mother tried to postpone the marriage. Instead of owning a home, the two only rented, because Coolidge did not like to be beholden to bankers or anyone else. On September 7, 1906 their son John was born. In 1908 their second and last son Calvin was born who later died at the young age of sixteen from blood poisoning from an infected blister. During Coolidge’s presidency he experienced a lot of success after taking over for President Harding’s scandalous time in office. The Roaring Twenties is considered by far the most prosperous time period of American history which was greatly influenced by Coolidge. Some of his events and accomplishments in office included cutting taxes multiple times and keeping the government out of the way of many businesses. President Calvin Coolidge had a personality that many people really liked.
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He was an introvert, but once one got to know him they could see how wise and witty he was. His wittiness helped him immensely as a president, because people like to see a leader who is smart and quick with replies. His “business first” attitude kept America rolling through the Roaring Twenties. He put high tariffs on non-American goods, because he greatly supported American business. “Calvin Coolidge was the first president to champion the need for ‘lower taxes, less government, and more freedom.’ Ronald Reagan admired Coolidge because he, ‘cut taxes four times. That time was probably the greatest growth and prosperity that America has ever known’”(“ “). President Coolidge’s career began with the practice of law at Hammond and Field. After that, with his savings and a small inheritance from his grandfather, Coolidge was able to open his own law office in Northampton in 1898. He practiced commercial law, believing that he served his clients best by staying out of court. As his reputation as a hard-working attorney grew, local banks and other businesses began to use his services (Calvin Coolidge). He became more interested in local politics so he found himself getting involved. In 1896 Coolidge campaigned for Republican presidential candidate William McKinley, and the next year he was selected to be a member of the Republican City Committee. In 1898, he won election to the City Council of Northampton, placing second in a ward where the top three candidates were elected.

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