Calvin Coolidge Presidency Overview

How did Calvin Coolidge’s presidency impact the United States during and after his time in office? This lesson and activity explore the early life, education, background, presidency, and legacy of President Calvin Coolidge. Students will examine Coolidge’s beliefs about limited government, his leadership style, and key events such as the economic growth of the Roaring Twenties, the Immigration Act of 1924, and his support for the Kellogg-Briand Pact. They will also analyze primary source excerpts, including his inaugural address, and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. To show their understanding, students will respond to a final summary question applying what they’ve learned about Coolidge’s impact on the American economy, government policy, and public trust.

Included in this resource:

Do Now - Calvin Coolidge’s inaugural address primary source analysis and questions
Calvin Coolidge document pass/station activity with corresponding scaffolding questions
Document 1: Early Presidency: Taking over after Harding
Document 2: Beliefs and Political Philosophy
Document 3: Economic Policy and the Roaring Twenties
Document 4: Domestic Policies and Social Issues
Document 5: Foreign Policy
Document 6: Leadership Style and Public Image
Document 7: Decision Not to Run in 1928
Document 8: Legacy
Spotlight On: Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge POV and scaffolding questions
Create a legacy brochure of Calvin Coolidge with rubric
Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did President Coolidge’s choices about government and the economy affect the United States in the 1920s and beyond?
Answer key for teachers (suggested)
★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you!

©2025 A Social Studies Life

For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.