William McKinley 25th President of the United States (1897-1901) Date of Birth: 29.01.1843 Country: USA

1. William McKinley - Biography
2. Early Life and Military Service
3. Political Career and Presidency
4. Assassination and Legacy

William McKinley - Biography

William McKinley was an American politician and the 25th President of the United States (1897-1901). He was a member of the Republican Party. McKinley served as the first president of the 20th century and the last president who participated in the Civil War.

Early Life and Military Service

McKinley rose to the rank of major during the Civil War, serving on the side of the Union. After the war, he pursued a career in law in his home state of Ohio. In 1877, McKinley was elected to Congress, where he belonged to the Republican Party and advocated for extreme protectionism.

Political Career and Presidency

In 1890, McKinley proposed the McKinley Bill, which consisted of two separate bills: the McKinley Administrative Bill and the McKinley Tariff Bill. This bill provoked strong opposition from the Democratic Party, leading to their victory in the House of Representatives elections in November 1890. In 1894, the Democrats succeeded in lowering customs duties. Despite the bill's unpopularity, McKinley gained significant authority within his party and was elected governor of Ohio in 1891.

In late 1896, he was elected as President of the United States and was re-elected for a second term in 1900. McKinley's presidency marked a period of imperialism and protectionism. In 1898, the United States engaged in a war with Spain, resulting in the occupation of Cuba, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico. Additionally, Hawaii was annexed, and the United States declared its abandonment of isolationism (Monroe Doctrine) and the beginning of its expansion in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Assassination and Legacy

On September 5, 1901, McKinley was shot by Polish-American anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. Although the first bullet was deflected by McKinley's suit button, the second bullet penetrated his abdomen and caused severe internal injuries. Despite undergoing surgery and showing initial signs of improvement, McKinley died from gangrene at a private residence in Buffalo on September 14. His last words were the opening lines of the hymn "Nearer, My God, to Thee."

McKinley's death caused widespread outrage and grief among Americans. Newspapers of the time were filled with comparisons of the "Fallen Leader" and "martyr" to Abraham Lincoln and even Jesus Christ. On the other hand, anarchist Emma Goldman compared Czolgosz's action to the tyrannicide committed by Brutus. Czolgosz was swiftly executed after a speedy trial on October 29, 1901.

After McKinley's death, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt assumed the presidency. Mount McKinley in Alaska, the highest point in North America, was named in his honor. There were also suggestions to rename the Philippines after McKinley. His portrait is featured on the $500 bill.