Calvin Coolidge holds a legacy as one of the greatest American presidents of all time. Though his first term was relatively easy and very prosperous, Coolidge's main legacy comes from his outstanding leadership during his second term, when the Panic of 1929 struck. The economic recession was quite bad, but the economy had rebounded to normal levels by 1931. The recession turned out to be not as bad as the recession of 1920-21. Coolidge's holding fast to libertarian principles during the Panic of 1929 was unpopular among many, but as history showed, it worked, as seen in his refusal to pass the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act and his slashing of tax rates even further. This leads to an interesting question: What if Coolidge decided not to run for re-election in 1929? This would of course lead to a question of who becomes the Republican nominee. I think the nomination would ultimately go to Herbert Hoover, as do most others. However, this could lead to disastrous consequences. Hoover was one of the very few Republicans who were in favor of large government intervention in the economy, and I think this recession could have turned absolutely disastrous once Hoover signs the Smoot-Hawley Tariff. It goes without saying that the 1932 election would be an absolute landslide with the Republicans losing, IOTL the Republicans lost, but it was no landslide. Depending on who the president is (I don't think Garner would get the nomination ITTL, I think it would actually go to Franklin Roosevelt), we will get a huge government expansion into the economy, in fact I think we would see some sort of government pension system come into existence. I think America would take a tremendous shift leftwards had the Republican party been greatly discredited with a worse Panic of 1929 and allowed a liberal Democrat to come to power for a long period of time. As we all know, the GOP is definitely the dominant party in American politics now, though the Democrats have a lot of power as well.
Also, one thing which could have literally changed all of world history. IOTL, Adolf Hitler oh-so narrowly lost the election for German Chancellor. With an even worse economy, I think this madman would have come to rule Germany. Call me crazy, but I think we could have seen another war in Europe which coincided with the Pacific War.
Lastly, does the Solid South still demise on schedule? IOTL in the late 40’s and 50’s it started voting for Republicans on a presidential level, but the South didn’t have a majority of Republican representatives in Congress until the 1974 Republican Revolution. Does the Solid South still go this early? Personally I think it’ll be delayed by at least a decade, especially if we get an ascendant Democratic party that control’s american politics for the next decade or two, which as I said may happen ITTL.
Also, one thing which could have literally changed all of world history. IOTL, Adolf Hitler oh-so narrowly lost the election for German Chancellor. With an even worse economy, I think this madman would have come to rule Germany. Call me crazy, but I think we could have seen another war in Europe which coincided with the Pacific War.
Lastly, does the Solid South still demise on schedule? IOTL in the late 40’s and 50’s it started voting for Republicans on a presidential level, but the South didn’t have a majority of Republican representatives in Congress until the 1974 Republican Revolution. Does the Solid South still go this early? Personally I think it’ll be delayed by at least a decade, especially if we get an ascendant Democratic party that control’s american politics for the next decade or two, which as I said may happen ITTL.