William McKinley became the twenty-fifth President of the United States on March 4, 1897.
U.S.S. Maine Disaster
On February 15, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine was sailing in the Havanah Harbor when it exploded and sank. The disaster claimed the lives of 260 of the Maine's crewmen. Though the cause of the explosion was never determined, the public held Spain responsible.
Battle of Manilla Bay
On April 30, 1898, the Asiatic Squadron of the United States Navy, lead by Commodore George Dewey, sailed into Manila Bay and proceeded to destroy the bulk of the Spanish fleet stationed there. The city of Manila was captured by United States forces on August 13.
Uprising in the Philippines
Rather than grant independence to the territories acquired under the provisions of the Treaty of Paris President McKinley decided to treat the islands of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam, as possessions of the United States. In 1899 a rebel faction of the Filipino population, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, declared a guerrilla war on the United States. The uprising was finally put down in 1902, but the effort proved more costly than the Spanish-American War.
Boxer Rebellion
In China, a group known as the Boxers looked to rid China of foreigners. The Boxer Rebellion of 1900 destroyed American businesses in China and resulted in the deaths of several American missionaries and delegates. President McKinley sent United States troops over to China where, in a combined effort with troops from Japan, Russia, and Germany, the uprising was put down, and the safety of foreign businessmen trading in China was secured.
Legislation
Dingley Tariff Act
Passed by Congress in 1897 the Dingley Tariff Act raised duties on all foreign imports.
War with Spain
During his first year in office, President McKinley was under constant pressure to come to the aid of Cuba in its war for independence against Spain, but he resisted, believing that the United States forces were not ready for war. With the public outcry over the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in February of 1898, President McKinley found that he could no longer resist the pressure for war. In mid-April 1898, he asked Congress for a declaration of war against Spain; it was granted on April 25, 1898.
Treaty of Paris
Signed on December 10, 1898 the Treaty of Paris provided for the independence of Cuba and a ceding of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the United States. The treaty also required Spain to pay the United States $20 million in reparations.
"Open Door Policy" with China
After the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion, President McKinley declared an "Open Door Policy" with China, which meant that all the nations of the world had an equal and unrestricted right to trade in China.
Annexation of Hawaii
Congress approved the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands in July of 1898.
1901-1901 Second Term
(Assassinated, d. 1901)
Events
Inauguration
William McKinley began his second term on March 4, 1901.
Assassination
On September 6, 1901 President McKinley was greeting people at the Pan-American Conference in Buffalo, New York, when an anarchist by the name of Leon Czolgosz approached him and fired two shots into his chest and stomach. President McKinley was rushed to the emergency medical facilities on the convention grounds and then taken to Milbourn House, the place where he was staying while attending the conference in Buffalo. President McKinley survived for a few days in stable condition, but took a turn for the worse when the wound became infected. President William McKinley died on the morning of September 14, 1901.
