Changes

Felzenberg (19978) shows that Coolidge battled intolerance, lynching and especially the [[Ku Klux Klan]], which lost all its influence during his term.

Felzenberg (19978) shows that Coolidge battled intolerance, lynching and especially the [[Ku Klux Klan]], which lost all its influence during his term.

In 1924 he appointed a commission to investigate the circumstances of the Teapot Dome oil lease, a scandal inherited from the Harding administration.  By focusing all the blame on Harding, he permanently tarnished Harding's name and promoted himself.  

In 1924 he appointed a commission to investigate the circumstances of the Teapot Dome oil lease, a scandal inherited from the Harding administration.  By focusing all the blame on Harding, he permanently tarnished Harding's name and promoted himself.

 

===Economic policies===

===Economic policies===

Coolidge famously said, "The business of America is business."   

Coolidge famously said, "The business of America is business."   

===Foreign Affairs===

===Foreign Affairs===

In the realm of foreign affairs the president urged the nation to become a member of the World Court, but the bill authorizing it was hedged with so many qualifications that the other member nations refused to admit the United States. Under the direction of Secretary of the Treasury [[Andrew W. Mellon]], plans for the payment of foreign government debts to the United States were negotiated and approved. During the Coolidge administration the Kellogg-Briand Pact, renouncing war as an instrument of national policy, was signed by most of the important nations of the world. The appointment of Dwight W. Morrow as ambassador to Mexico did much to restore good relations with that country, although the policy pursued elsewhere in Latin America in the interest of American investors helped maintain the Latin-American distrust of their northern neighbor.  

In the realm of foreign affairs the president urged the nation to become a member of the World Court, but the bill authorizing it was hedged with so many qualifications that the other member nations refused to admit the United States. Under the direction of Secretary of the Treasury [[Andrew W. Mellon]], plans for the payment of foreign government debts to the United States were negotiated and approved. During the Coolidge administration the Kellogg-Briand Pact, renouncing war as an instrument of national policy, was signed by most of the important nations of the world. The appointment of Dwight W. Morrow as ambassador to Mexico did much to restore good relations with that country, although the policy pursued elsewhere in Latin America in the interest of American investors helped maintain the Latin-American distrust of their northern neighbor.

 

=== Calvin Coolidge and Prohibition ===

=== Calvin Coolidge and Prohibition ===

Calvin Coolidge was not a teetotaler, but he didn't have much use for alcohol. Due to his belief in limited government, he cut the [[Prohibition]] Bureau’s budget during the boom year of 1926. Andrew Mellon, who as Treasury Secretary was also the Chief Prohibition Enforcement Officer in the United States, hated the law and was less than dedicated in his enforcement efforts.<ref>[http://kaiology.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/water-water-everywhere-and-not-a-drop-to-drink-coolidge-and-prohibition-2/ Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink – Coolidge and Prohibition]</ref>

Calvin Coolidge was not a teetotaler, but he didn't have much use for alcohol. Due to his belief in limited government, he cut the [[Prohibition]] Bureau’s budget during the boom year of 1926. Andrew Mellon, who as Treasury Secretary was also the Chief Prohibition Enforcement Officer in the United States, hated the law and was less than dedicated in his enforcement efforts.<ref>[http://kaiology.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/water-water-everywhere-and-not-a-drop-to-drink-coolidge-and-prohibition-2/ Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink – Coolidge and Prohibition]</ref>

==Silent Cal==

==Silent Cal==

A woman once told Coolidge that she had bet someone that she couldn't get him to say more than two words.  He told her, "You lose."

A woman once told Coolidge that she had bet someone that she couldn't get him to say more than two words.  He told her, "You lose."

===Retirement===

===Retirement===

In the summer of 1927 Coolidge made the statement, "I do not chose to run for president in 1928."  He did not indicate his choice of his successor. Coolidge left the White House on Mar. 4, 1929, amid the acclaim of the nation.  Returning to Northampton, he published his autobiography and wrote articles for newspapers and periodicals. These and his business activities kept him engaged until his death on Jan. 5, 1933, in the midst of the [[Great Depression]].

In the summer of 1927 Coolidge made the statement, "I do not chose to run for president in 1928."  He did not indicate his choice of his successor. Coolidge left the White House on Mar. 4, 1929, amid the acclaim of the nation.  Returning to Northampton, he published his autobiography and wrote articles for newspapers and periodicals. These and his business activities kept him engaged until his death on Jan. 5, 1933, in the midst of the [[Great Depression]].

* Shlaes, Amity ''Coolidge''

* Shlaes, Amity ''Coolidge''

* White, William Allen ''A Puritan in Babylon: The Story of Calvin Coolidge,'' (1938) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=1105748 online edition]

* White, William Allen ''A Puritan in Babylon: The Story of Calvin Coolidge,'' (1938) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=1105748 online edition]

===Primary sources===

===Primary sources===

* Calvin Coolidge Telegram to Samuel Gompers re: Boston Police Strike [http://www.davidpietrusza.com/coolidge-gompers-telegram.html online edition]

* Calvin Coolidge Telegram to Samuel Gompers re: Boston Police Strike [http://www.davidpietrusza.com/coolidge-gompers-telegram.html online edition]

==External Sources==

*[http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/academic/americanpresident/coolidge excellent essays & documents from Miller Center U Virginia]

 

==External links==

* [http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/academic/americanpresident/coolidge excellent essays & documents from Miller Center U Virginia]

* [http://www.c-spanarchives.org/program/id/222754 Author David Pietrusza discusses Calvin Coolidge on C-SPAN BookTV]

* [http://www.c-spanarchives.org/program/id/222754 Author David Pietrusza discusses Calvin Coolidge on C-SPAN BookTV]

 

{{USPresidents}}

{{USPresidents}}