William McKinley (January 29, 1843 – September 14, 1901) was an American politician who served as the 25th president of the United States from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. Before becoming president, he was the 39th governor of Ohio from 1892 to 1896.
William McKinley | |
|---|---|
 McKinley c. 1900 | |
| 25th President of the United States | |
| In office March 4, 1897 – September 14, 1901 | |
| Vice President |
|
| Preceded by | Grover Cleveland |
| Succeeded by | Theodore Roosevelt |
| 39th Governor of Ohio | |
| In office January 11, 1892 – January 13, 1896 | |
| Lieutenant | Andrew L. Harris |
| Preceded by | James E. Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Asa S. Bushnell |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio | |
| In office March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1891 | |
| Preceded by | David R. Paige |
| Succeeded by | Joseph D. Taylor |
| Constituency |
|
| In office March 4, 1877 – May 27, 1884 | |
| Preceded by | Laurin D. Woodworth |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan H. Wallace |
| Constituency |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | William McKinley Jr. January 29, 1843 Niles, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 14, 1901 (aged 58) Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Assassination (Gangrene due to infection in gunshot wound) |
| Resting place | McKinley National Memorial, Canton, Ohio |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
| Father | William McKinley Sr. |
| Education | |
| Profession |
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| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army (Union Army) |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Brevet major |
| Unit | 23rd Ohio Infantry |
| Battles/wars | |
Other offices
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During his presidency, he successfully led the U.S. in the Spanish–American War, during the period of American expansionism with the annexations of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and Hawaii.
Presidency
changeMcKinley was inaugurated in 1897. This was the first presidential inauguration to be filmed, making McKinley the first U.S. president to be filmed.[1]
When the USS Maine was sunk, the public wanted war. Congress declared war against Spain in Latin America. This was the Spanish-American War. It started the era of imperialism for the United States.
During his presidency, McKinley also supported higher tariffs (taxes on countries which trade with the US). During his term, the United States annexed Hawaii, Cuba, the Philippines, and Wake Island.
McKinley was elected to a second term as president in 1900. His second term did not last very long.
Death
changeMcKinley was shot by an anarchist named Leon Czolgosz on September 6, 1901. His abdominal gunshot wounds became infected and resulted in gangrene. He died eight days later and Czolgosz said that the President committed war crimes in the Philippines and was an enemy of the people. Czolgosz was executed in the electric chair on October 29, 1901. McKinley was the third American president to be assassinated.
After McKinley's death, his vice president Theodore Roosevelt became president.
Praise
changeMcKinley's biographer, H. Wayne Morgan remarks that McKinley died the most beloved president in history.[2]
Kenneth F. Warren emphasizes the national commitment to a pro-business, industrial, and modernizing program, represented by McKinley.[3]
Notes
change- ↑ Vice President Hobart died in office. As this was before the adoption of the Twenty-fifth Amendment in 1967, a vacancy in the office of vice president was not filled until the next ensuing election and inauguration.
References
change- ↑ "The First US President on Film: William McKinley's Inauguration". School Tube. Archived from the original on December 20, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ↑ Morgan, H. Wayne 2003. William McKinley and his America. Kent, Ohio: The Kent State University Press (revised ed.) ISBN 978-0-87338-765-1
- ↑ Kenneth F. Warren (2008). Encyclopedia of U.S. Campaigns, Elections, and Electoral Behavior. SAGE. p. 211. ISBN 978-1-4129-5489-1.
Other websites
change- William McKinley's White House biography Archived 2006-05-04 at the Wayback Machine
