Which president, known for small government and laissez-faire economics, supported immigration restriction through legislation such as the Immigration Act?

• A. Herbert Hoover
• B. Calvin Coolidge
• C. Warren G. Harding
• D. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Answer: (B)

The question is testing the connection between a president’s belief in limiting government and his stance on immigration policy. Calvin Coolidge fits this description best. He earned a reputation for small government and laissez-faire economics, emphasizing limited federal intervention in the economy. At the same time, his administration supported immigration restriction, culminating in the Immigration Act of 1924, which set quotas that limited immigration from many countries. This combination—pro-business, minimal federal intervention at home, and a move to restrict immigration—defines his approach more clearly than the other presidents listed. While subsequent leaders pursued different paths (for example, expansion of federal programs or different economic challenges), Coolidge’s leadership aligns with both facets described in the question.