William McKinley
(March 4, 1897 to September 14, 1901)

Born: January 29, 1843
Died: September 14, 1901

Political Party: Republican
Previous Occupation: Lawyer

Elected From: Ohio
Vice President: Garret A. Hobart (1897-99); Theodore Roosevelt (1901)
Cabinet Members: view list

Other Government Positions:
· Member of U.S. House of Representatives, 1877-91
· Governor of Ohio, 1892-96

Inaugural Address: 1897, 1901
Biography: view

Presidential Highlights:
· Approved the Dingley Tariff Act (sharply increased duties), bringing import duties on foreign goods to an all-time high.

· The Spanish-American War. By 1898, U.S. investments and trade with Cuba amounted to roughly $150 million. U.S. newspapers were filled with stories of Spanish atrocities in Cuba. President McKinley asked Spain to allow Cuba to govern itself, but Spain rejected his proposal. Enique Dupuy de Lome (Spain's Ambassador to the United States) wrote a letter to the Spanish government describing President McKinley in very unflattering terms. This letter was intercepted and printed in the U.S. press. Then the Spanish fleet sunk the U.S.S. Maine which had been sent to Cuba to protect U.S. lives and property. On April 25, 1898, the United States declared war on Spain, beginning the Spanish-American War. The U.S. Navy destroyed the Spanish fleet. One month later, the United States blockaded Havana Harbor. The war officially ended on December 10, 1898 with the Treaty of Paris (gave Cuba its independence, the United States paid Spain $20 million for Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam).

· Approved the Platt Amendment (restricted Cuban independence, gave the United States right to approve Cuba's agreements with other countries).

· Was shot dead 6 months into his second term in office.

Presidential Election:
1896
William McKinley271
William J. Byran176

1900
William McKinley292
William J. Byran155

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