McKinley, William

McKinley, William (b. 29 Jan. 1843, d. 14 Sept. 1901). 25th US President 1897–1901 Born at Niles, Ohio, he became a lawyer and, after service as a major in the US Civil War (1861–5), he entered Congress as a Representative for his home state in 1876. He became an influential figure, and in 1890 his goal of a protective duty in certain imports was realized by the McKinley Tariff. He was defeated in 1890, and the following year was elected Governor of his home state. He ran for President on a commitment to the Gold Standard as the basis of the American dollar's value. In 1898 he successfully led the country into war with Spain, in support of Cuban rebels demanding independence. In the ensuing Treaty of Paris Spain not only gave up Cuba but sold the Philippines, several Pacific territories (including Guam), and Puerto Rico to the USA for $20 million. While Cuba had gained independence, under his administration the Cubans were forced to accept the Platt Amendment, which gave the US an effective right to intervene in Cuban affairs at will. At the same time, the US annexed what was then the Kingdom of Hawaii (which became a state in 1959). On the basis of these victories, he was easily re-elected in 1900. Shortly thereafter, he was shot dead in Buffalo, New York State, and was succeeded by Theodore Roosevelt, the Vice-President. McKinley has been described as the first ‘modern’ President of the US. He raised record finances for his first campaign, set up a war command in the White House equipped with the latest technologies, and was extremely conscious of the power of public opinion. He redefined US commitment in the Pacific, Asia, and the Caribbean.