Dates in Office: 1897-1901
Important Information:
- McKinley was assassinated on March 4, 1897, six months into his second term.
- He led the nation to victory in the Spanish-American War.
- McKinley raised protective tariffs to promote American industry.
- He maintained the nation on the gold standard in a rejection of inflationary proposals.
- He was the last President to serve in the Civil War, he began as a private in the Union Army and concluded as a brevet major.
- McKinley promoted the Dingley Tariff to protect manufacturers and factory workers from foreign competition.
- He secured the Gold Standard Act in 1900.
- As a peace settlement in the Spanish-American War, Spain turned over Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines to the U.S.
- McKinley won reelection in 1900 based on a campaign focused on imperialism, prosperity and free silver.