(1843–1901). William McKinley helped make the United States into a world power. He was the country's 25th president, from 1897 until he was shot in 1901. During his presidency the country went to war with Spain and gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The United States suddenly controlled an empire stretching from the Caribbean Sea to the Far East. Early life and marriageWilliam McKinley was born on January 29, 1843, in Niles, Ohio. He attended college for a few months but returned home because of ill health. He taught in a country school and worked as a clerk in the post office. When the American Civil War began in 1861, McKinley volunteered. By the end of the war in 1865, he had earned the rank of major. After the war McKinley studied law. He opened a law practice in Canton, Ohio, and was elected the county prosecutor in 1869. McKinley married Ida Saxton in 1871. The couple had two children, but they both died very young. Ida McKinley became quite sickly for the rest of her life. Early political careerIn 1876 McKinley was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He remained there for 14 years, except for one period after the election of 1882. McKinley became known for his support of higher taxes on imported goods. The taxes were meant to protect United States manufacturers from foreign competition. McKinley lost his seat in Congress in 1890. However, he became governor of Ohio from 1892 to 1896. One of his most important acts as governor was to establish a state board to settle labor disputes. In the presidential campaign of 1896 the Republicans nominated McKinley as their candidate. His opponent was William Jennings Bryan. McKinley won the election decisively. PresidencyMcKinley became president on March 4, 1897. He promptly called a special session of Congress to increase the tax on imports. However, foreign policy dominated McKinley's administration. Spanish-American WarMany Americans were eager to see the United States go to war in Cuba, which was ruled by Spain. The Spanish were brutally repressing Cubans who wanted independence for their country. Congress also was in favor of war, but McKinley wanted to avoid United States involvement. In February 1898 the United States battleship Maine exploded in the harbor in Havana, Cuba. Sensational newspaper stories blamed the explosion on the Spanish. The United States declared war on Spain and easily defeated the Spanish forces in about 100 days. The Spanish-American War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Under the treaty, the United States received Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Cuba became independent. Second termThe country's success in the war and a thriving economy made McKinley very popular. He ran for reelection in 1900, once more against Bryan. McKinley was elected to a second term. Theodore Roosevelt became vice-president. (McKinley's first vice-president, Garret A. Hobart, had died in 1899.) During McKinley's second term, he changed his position on import taxes. He proposed agreements with other countries to lower the taxes charged on each other's goods. DeathIn September 1901 McKinley attended the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. During a public reception, a man in the crowd shot and wounded the president. It was a senseless act with no specific connection with McKinley's policies. The president was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he died eight days later, on September 14, 1901. |