The popular Democratic (see correction) president became the third to be assassinated in office, after Lincoln and Garfield.
William McKinley was born on Jan. 29, 1843, in Niles, Ohio. His family moved to Poland, Ohio, so that young William and his siblings could attend a good school. William loved reading and debating. He became president of his school’s debating club.
At 16, he attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. He got sick and had to leave school. Finances prevented him from returning.
McKinley was working as a postal clerk when the Civil War broke out. He joined a volunteer infantry under the leadership of future president Rutherford B. Hayes.
During a particularly heavy exchange, McKinley, against the advice of his superiors, went onto the battlefield to take food to the soldiers. He was rewarded for his bravery with a promotion to second lieutenant. He was later promoted to brevet major.
After the war, he returned home to study law. He later opened a practice.
McKinley married Ida Stanton in January 1871. Tragedy struck the young family. The early deaths of the couple’s two young daughters and the death of Ida’s mother plunged her into depression. She suffered to phlebitis and epilepsy, which left her in need of constant care. Despite his wife’s illness, McKinley remained a devoted husband.
His political career was on the rise. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1876. After seeing an opponent sporting a red carnation, McKinley began wearing the flower, which became his trademark.
In 1904, the carnation was made the state flower of Ohio. McKinley served for seven years in Congress and 14 years in the House of Representatives.
He became governor of Ohio in 1891, during which time he befriended wealthy businessman Mark Hanna. Hanna’s money and influence helped McKinley win the White House.
In 1896, McKinley became the Republican candidate for president. He conducted a now famous “front porch” campaign, in part because he didn’t want to leave his ailing wife to hit the campaign trail. McKinley’s campaign was the first to hand out buttons and use other memorabilia to support the candidate.
Foreign affairs dominated McKinley’s first term, as Cuba fought for independence from Spain. The United States tried for neutral intervention, but after the sinking of the battleship Maine, the U.S. declared war. In 1898, the Spanish-American War erupted.
The war lasted 100 days and ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. In the end, Spain lost control of Cuba, while Puerto Rico, the Philippine Islands and Guam, were annexed by the United States.
Next, McKinley sought to increase the tariff and make gold the basis of our money system. In 1897, the Dingley Tarriff was passed and, in 1900, the Gold Standard Act was passed.
McKinley’s administration opened the door for trade with China, but rebels rebuffing Western influence initiated the Boxer Rebellion. Troops were sent to China to rescue Westerners trapped there.
McKinley ran for and won a second term. Young Theodore Roosevelt of New York was his vice president. His new term began auspiciously, with McKinley planning to focus on domestic affairs. But it was not to be.
On Sept. 6, 1901, while at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, N.Y., he was shot and mortally wounded.
Doctors were unable to locate the bullet and McKinley lingered for eight days before dying on Sept 14, 1901, the third president assassinated in office.
Ironically, Thomas Edison’s new invention, the X-ray machine, was unveiled at the Pan-American Exposition, but doctors were afraid to try it on McKinley because they were unsure of the machine’s possible side effects.
Today’s lesson fulfills the following New York standards: ELA 1c, 3c, 3d, 4a, 4b, 5a Social Studies Standards 1 and 2
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New York Post activities
* Use the Internet to read more about the life and presidency of William McKinley.
* Use the Internet to learn more about the Spanish-American War, the Dingley Tarriff, the Gold Standard Act and the Boxer Rebellion.
* Rate the presidency. After conducting your own research, write an article discussing the accomplishments and failures of the McKinley presidency. Share your essay with the class.
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