William McKinley, 25th U.S. President

William McKinley, 25th President

 President Donald Trump has given high praise to 25th President  William McKinley. McKinley's policies on high tariffs and territorial expansion have attracted President Trump's interest. In a recent AP article, Associate Professor of History Kevin Kern at the University of Akron, does not "think there has been as much interest in William McKinley in at least a century in terms of the kind of public consciousness." It was in1928 when his portrait appeared on the $500 bill!

Born in Niles, Ohio in 1843, William McKinley served in the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Regiment during the Civil War where he met and fought beside his mentor Rutherford B Hayes. Following the war, he lived in Canton, Ohio, where he practiced law and married Ida Saxton. 

Saxton-McKinley House
National First Ladies Historic Site, Canton, Ohio

National Park Service

Elected to the U.S. Congress in 1876, McKinley regarded the protective tariff  as a means of bringing prosperity to the nation. The U.S. was just beginning to develop its industrial might, unlike today's global economy. The McKinley Tariff of 1890 was highly controversial, leading to his Congressional defeat after seven terms.

Ohioans elected McKinley its governor in 1891 and again in 1893.  In 1896, the Republican Party chose McKinley as its candidate for the U.S. Presidency. After the famous "front porch campaign," he took office during a deep depression. He  championed "sound money," protective tariffs, and territorial expansion. 

Statue of William McKinley outside Lucas County Courthouse
Toledo, Ohio

Creative Commons

The Republic of Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1900. Spain, in its peace settlement following the Spanish-American War, gave up to the U. S. its colonies: Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico.  The U.S. Army controlled Cuba until 1902.

McKinley's second term was cut short when he was shot by Leo Czolgosz on September 6, 1901 in Buffalo,  New York. He died eight days later.

McKinley Monument and Final Resting Place, Canton, Ohio

National Historic Landmark

The McKinley Presidential Library and Museum offers a greater understanding of his protective tariff and territorial expansion policies. Professor Kern believes McKinley was beginning to change his views on tariffs in a speech he gave the day before he was assassinated.

  

President McKinley shot at Pan American Exposition, Buffalo, N. Y.

Library of Congress

The Hayes Presidential Library and Museum contains more information about McKinley during his Civil War service in the 23rd Ohio when President Hayes was his commander.