Calvin Coolidge's Inaugural Address: Main Idea
Calvin Coolidge's Inaugural Address: Main Idea
Do the math: Lower taxes plus smaller government minus imported wars, goods, and people = prosperity and happiness for Americans.
Questions
- How is this speech a reaction to America getting involved in the international conflict of World War I?
- How do Coolidge's ideas about economic policy tie into the concept of being "American"?
- How does Coolidge define "American"?
- How do Coolidge's ideas about foreign policy relate to the previous 150 years of American international relations?
Chew On This
Coolidge wants to keep America out of international politics, but also maintain its international influence, which is the political equivalent of having your cake and eating it too.
According to Coolidge, mo' money, mo' freedom.
Quotes
Quote #1
We have been, and propose to be, more and more American. We believe that we can best serve our own country and most successfully discharge our obligations to humanity by continuing to be openly and candidly, intensely and scrupulously, American. If we have any heritage, it has been that. If we have any destiny, we have found it in that direction. (4.2-5)
We've maintained our American-ness by always being American. Are we the only ones confused by this? Is it an anti-immigrant dog-whistle?
Quote #2
We are not identified with any Old World interests. This position should be made more and more clear in our relations with all foreign countries. We are at peace with all of them. Our program is never to oppress, but always to assist. But while we do justice to others, we must require that justice be done to us…We can only help those who help themselves. (12.2-6, 10)
The U.S. got involved in World War I mostly because the conflict, started by the Old World (a.k.a. Europe) had been interfering with American business and lives. Coolidge echoes ideas going back to George Washington's Farewell Address, that America needs to keep its distance from political alliances with European countries. It adds the Trumpian demand that America expects a fair deal in return for helping out other nations.
Quote #3
I favor the policy of economy, not because I wish to save money, but because I wish to save people. (15.10)
Wasteful spending is a moral issue for this thrifty Yankee farmer.
Quote #4
The only constitutional tax is the tax which ministers to public necessity. The property of the country belongs to the people of the country. Their title is absolute. They do not support any privileged class; they do not need to maintain great military forces; they ought not to be burdened with a great array of public employees. (16.7-10)
Less government = less tax burden on the people. Sounds pretty simple.
Quote #5
America seeks no earthly empire built on blood and force. No ambition, no temptation, lures her to thought of foreign dominions. The legions which she sends forth are armed, not with the sword, but with the cross. (25.7-9)
After World War I, for which the U.S. had to draft almost 3 million new soldiers thanks to its small standing military, the 1920s presidents reduced the military again. After all, they were trying to get out of international conflicts. Coolidge tries to paint the imperial possessions the U.S. had in 1925 (Hawaii, Panama, the Dutch Antilles, etc.) as noble (and religious) endeavors. America only takes over territory to save souls, not like those old-school European empires that are all about resources.