Warren Harding

8G History Lesson 110 Assignment – Part 1

This week I was to write about presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge. I decided to split it into two essays, this is the first part.

Overview

Warren Harding was the 29th president. He promised to help the U.S. return to normalcy after World War 1, but he accomplished little in office. His short time as president was marked by many scandals, which upset many people. Most people consider Warren Harding’s time in office as one of the worst.

Life and Presidency of Harding

Warren G. Harding was born on November 2, 1865 in the state of Ohio. He grew up on a farm, but his father later abandoned farming and became a physician. Warren grew up the oldest of 8 children. He tried many different careers, and bought a small newspaper company in Ohio. He became interested in politics, and slowly became more well-known.

Harding served as a senator, and was a member of the Republican party. He ran for president in 1920, under the slogan “Return to Normalcy.”

Harding didn’t do much in office. His biggest acts were to increase tariffs, and lower taxes on business. But the thing he is most remembered for is the scandals that took place during his presidency. Harding wasn’t the most honest man, and he didn’t appoint very trustworthy people.

Harding died of a heart attack while returning from a vacation in 1923. This marked the end of his presidency, and Calvin Coolidge took over.

Reference:

www.britannica.com/biography/Warren-G-Harding

Costs of College: An Interview

Personal Finance Lesson 115 Assignment

Today I will be asking my dad a few questions about his college experience.

How much did you spend each semester on books?

“At least 300-500 dollars. It was very expensive.”

What was the biggest unexpected financial burden you faced in college?

“The debt that I had to repay later, and all the time that I lost.”

If you could start college all over again, how could you have saved money by doing things differently?

“I would live with my grandma, so that I wouldn’t have to pay for room and board. My cousin did this when he went to college. Also I would take college courses in high school, so I could get a head start on my college credits. I would also cook my own food.”

Do you have any advice for young people who are looking to go to college?

“Try to find people who are doing the jobs you are interested in, and then apprentice with them or help them. Go to college if it is necessary to get the job you want.”

11
Apr, 2025

Calvin Coolidge

8G History Lesson 110 Assignment – Part 2

This is part two of my assignment for this week.

Overview

Calvin Coolidge was our 30th president. He became president after Harding died in office. In my opinion, he was one of the best presidents ever, but he is often forgotten.

Life and Presidency of Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872. He was an only child, and his parents raised him well. His father was a storekeeper, and taught Calvin many Puritan virtues. Coolidge loved reading and nature as a child.

Coolidge decided to pursue a career in law, starting in 1897. He married Grace Goodhue in 1905. Coolidge was chosen as mayor of Northampton in 1909, and was active in the Massachusetts government. He was a popular republican cantidate for Vice President, and made it onto the ballot with president Harding. They were easily elected into office by a 60 percent popular vote.

Coolidge was thrust into the presidency when Harding unexpectedly died. Harding had left Coolidge a seat surrounded by scandals. However, Coolidge was determined to restore the people’s trust. In 1924, he was nominated for president. He won more than half of the popular vote under the campaign “Keep Cool with Coolidge”.

Coolidge improved the U.S. economy and government in many ways. He was very supportive of business and the free market, and dramatically lowered the income and property tax rates. He also supported smaller government. His Secretary of the Treasury was Andrew Mellon. He believed that lowering taxes would help expand the economy. Coolidge vetoed the McNary Haugen bill 2 times, which Congress was trying to approve. This bill was a plan for the government to subsidize American crops. Coolidge’s move to veto it was a controversial one, and some people were not happy. He was also a supporter of racial equality, and tried to move the U.S. towards it.

Some people criticize Coolidge for his “lack of action”, and blamed the Great Depression on him. They thought that he should have taxed the rich more, and enact more laws that subsidized the economy.

Coolidge oversaw almost a decade of prosperity, and in 1928, he decided not to run again. 1929 saw the election of Herbert Hoover, and the biggest economic crash in United States history.

In summary, Calvin Coolidge was a somewhat controversial president, but I think the things that he did (and the things that he didn’t do) helped the economy and America as a whole.

Reference:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Calvin-Coolidge

Is College Worth It

Personal Finance Lesson 110 Assignment

In today’s assignment, I will look at the benefits and disadvantages of going to college, and decide if it is worth it. Then I’ll explore college alternatives.

What college provides:

  • Education: This is what most people think of when they hear the word college. It is (usually) the main function of a college.
  • Social activities: Some colleges also provide activities, events, clubs, and other entertainment options.
  • Temporary Housing: If you are paying the fee for living on-campus, you have access to a dorm.
  • Degree: This sits under the education category. Part of what you pay for going to college is the Masters or Graduates degree that you will receive if you stick with it.

Disadvantages of college:

  • Price: Colleges are notoriously expensive, even the smaller-town community colleges! You will be paying for the education of course, but also your room (if you decide to get a room on-campus), your textbooks which can be surprisingly costly, and perhaps your food. Also your TIME!! College takes A TON of time. There are some ways to avoid these high prices and the cost of your time. I’ll be discussing them later.
  • Loans: This fits under the price category. You will probably have to take out loans to go to college, and you may be paying them back for a long time!
  • Stress: College is a very stressful time, and it can take a toll on health
  • Travel: If you are in an out of state college, you must account for travel costs.

Whether you choose to go to college or not is a big decision, but there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on your circumstances. If you are thinking about going to college, think about the alternatives. You could take dual-enrollment classes while in high school. You can also take an apprenticeship, which is basically what it sounds like. You are apprenticed to someone in a particular field and learn about their job.

Overall, college offers a wide variety of benefits, and can be very fun! But it can also be expensive and stressful. Make sure to weigh your options and make your decision carefully. Personally, I think I would consider an apprenticeship or dual enrollment classes.

Thanks for reading!