Calvin Coolidge entered into politics at an early age and eventually became America’s 30th president. He was born July 4, 1872, in Plymouth Notch, in central Vermont to parents John Coolidge and Victoria Coolidge. He was the eldest of two children, with a younger sister and grew up on a small farm. His father served in both the Vermont House of Representatives, and the state senate, and was well respected within the community. His mother was chronically ill and died in 1884 when Coolidge was 12 years old. Several years later, in 1890, Coolidge also lost his sister Abigail. Shortly after the death of his mother, Coolidge was sent to Black River Academy in 1885, graduating in 1890. Coolidge then attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, graduating in 1895. Following college, Coolidge apprenticed at the law firm Hammond and Field, passing the state’s bar examination in 1897, then opening his own law office in 1898. Coolidge married his wife Grace Anna Goodhue, a schoolteacher for deaf children, in 1905. They had two sons John Coolidge, born in 1901 and Calvin Jr. Coolidge, born in 1908.

Coolidge was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1906, and went on to become the mayor of Northampton in 1909, and then returned to the state legislature in 1911, serving in the senate. In 1915 Coolidge was elected as Lieutenant governor, and then as governor in 1918. In 1919, many Boston Policemen went on strike forming labour unions demanding for better pay and working conditions. When labour leaders called on Coolidge for support, he refused stating, “There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time.” This incident brought Coolidge to national attention. His discouragement for labour unions made him favoured among America’s conservatives, and in 1920 Republican delegates nominated Coolidge as Vice President.

In 1923, Coolidge acceded to presidency following the death of President Harding. His presidential speech was the to be broadcast to the nation via radio. He ran for presidency in 1924, and won over the Democratic Party. While working to clear up the corrupt nature of the executive branch, Coolidge also advocated strongly for civil rights, particularly for African Americans, stating their rights were "just as sacred as those of any other citizen". Furthermore, he refused to appoint any known KKK members to office, and subsequently, the Klan lost a lot of its influence during the time period. Coolidge also called for anti lynching laws, however attempts to pass this legislation were delayed by Southern Democrats.

Many of Coolidge’s policies as president strongly reflected and contributed to the ideology of capitalism in America, stating, “the chief business of the American People is business.” Coolidge was pro business, believing it was the right of every American to seek prosperity. His contempt for business regulations further encouraged this notion of capitalism in America, as the government did little to restrict the activities of businesses, allowing for their expansion. Coolidge also lowered taxes on both income and company profits, introducing the Revenue Act of 1924. Congress reduced taxes further by passing the Revenue Acts of 1926 and 1928. This in effect gave the wealthy more money to invest in the American industry, promoting economic growth. By 1927 only the wealthiest 2% of taxpayers paid any federal income tax. Coolidge also set high tariffs on imported goods, making them more expensive and thus protecting the American economy and helping American producers to sell more. However, his laissez-faire business policies, whilst promoted both capitalism and economic growth, can be largely attributed the Great Depression. On the 2nd of August 1927, he publically announced his decision not to run in the 1928 elections. Coolidge died 6 years late in January 1933.

“I believe in the American Constitution. I favour the American system of individual enterprise, and I am opposed to any general extension of government ownership, and control. I believe not only in advocating economy in public expenditure, but in its practical application and actual accomplishment. I believe in a reduction and reform of taxation, and shall continue my efforts in that direction.”

“The first duty of a government is to be true to itself. This does not mean perfection; it means a plan to strive for perfection. It means loyalty to ideals.”

“Civilisation and profit go hand in hand”

“Economy is the method by which we prepare today to afford the improvements of tomorrow.”

“The man who builds a factory builds a temple, that the man who works there worships there and to each is due, not scorn and blame, but reverence and praise”