William McKinley (1846-1901) was the 25th president of the United States. During McKinley's administration the two issues of tariff and currency were overshadowed by the Spanish-American War of 1898. As governor, congressman and later president William McKinley a man of compromise held rose to symbolize the spirit of his age.
Born on January 29, 1843 in Niles, Ohio William McKinley was the seventh child of William and Nancy McKinley. He temporarily attended Allegheny College, and later though in a country school when the civil war broke out. William later graduated from law school and begun practicing in canton Ohio, and married Ida Saxton. At the age of 35 was appointed a seat in congress; where 14 years later became leading experts on tariffs and later governor of Ohio, serving for a total of 2 terms.
In 1896, McKinley was chosen by the Republican Party to be its candidate for president.
English: A 1900 Republican campaign poster for the...
Clipping of a wash drawing by T. Dart Walker depic...
Mugshots of Leon Czolgosz from after his arrest fo...He won the election easily, beating Democrat William Jennings Bryan. As president, McKinley supported higher tariffs and urged that the nation's money be based on the value of gold rather than silver. But his administration was dominated by foreign affairs.
As McKinley became president, there was an extreme agitation over silver. Wanting to take action he called on to congress to enact the highest tariff in history. In 1990 favored maintaining the gold standard, initiating the way to pass the Gold Standard Act of 1990.
In 1898 Cuba was dominated by Spain, but the Cubans rebelled seeking there independence. President McKinley talked to Spain about the liberation of Cuba, but Spain refused Presidents McKinley petition. The United States therefore sent a ship, Maine, to the Havana to show America's support. Up to this day no one knows why, but either by accident or a Spanish missile sunk the ship on...