William McKinley

William McKinley (1843–1901) was the 25th president of the United States, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901.

William McKinley (1843–1901) was the 25th president of the United States, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. A Republican, he led the United States during the Spanish-American War and the period in which the country acquired overseas territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. He was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz in Buffalo, New York, and died eight days later.

Early life and career

McKinley was born in 1843 in Niles, Ohio, and served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He later built a political career in Ohio and in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Presidency

Elected president in 1896, McKinley governed during a period of economic recovery and rising American industrial power. His administration is especially associated with protective tariffs, the Spanish-American War, and territorial expansion.

Spanish-American War and expansion

Under McKinley, the United States went to war with Spain in 1898 and gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines through the peace settlement. His presidency is often linked to the United States’ rise to global power.

Assassination and death

McKinley was shot by Leon Czolgosz while greeting visitors at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, in September 1901. He died eight days later and was succeeded by Theodore Roosevelt.