🇺🇸 William McKinley Biography for Students 25th President

🧭 Introduction

William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. He led the country during a time of war and economic growth. Under McKinley, the United States won the Spanish-American War and gained overseas territories, becoming a world power for the first time. He also helped boost American industry with strong tariffs. His presidency ended suddenly when he was shot at a public event, making him the third U.S. president to be assassinated.

👶 Early Life and Education

William McKinley was born on January 29, 1843, in Niles, Ohio. He was the seventh of nine children in a hardworking family. He attended school and later went to Allegheny College, but left due to illness and financial problems.

When the Civil War broke out, McKinley joined the Union Army as a private and rose to the rank of major. His service helped shape his belief in unity and patriotism.

After the war, McKinley became a lawyer and entered politics in Ohio.

🏛 Political Career Before Presidency

McKinley was a member of the Republican Party and served in several important roles:

• U.S. Congressman (served 14 years)
• Governor of Ohio (two terms)
• Supporter of tariffs to protect American businesses

He became well-known for the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890, which raised import taxes. Some people loved it, others disliked the higher prices.

In 1896, McKinley ran for president and defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan in a major election focused on the economy and money policy.

🇺🇸 Presidency Overview (1897–1901)

McKinley entered office during a time of economic recovery. He believed in:

• Supporting business growth
• Protecting American industries with tariffs
• Expanding international trade

He also focused on helping the country become stronger and more modern. But the biggest event of his presidency came in 1898, when the U.S. went to war with Spain.

⚔️ Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War began after the U.S. battleship USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, Cuba. Many Americans blamed Spain, and McKinley asked Congress to declare war.

The war lasted only a few months but had big results:

• The U.S. defeated Spain
• Gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines
• Annexed Hawaii during the war
• Helped free Cuba from Spanish rule

The U.S. became a world power with overseas territories. Some people supported this new empire, while others believed it went against American values.

🧭 Domestic Policies and Progress

While McKinley is best known for the war, he also helped improve life at home:

• Promoted economic growth and stability
• Supported the Gold Standard Act of 1900, which made gold the official base for U.S. money
• Encouraged new technology and industry
• Appointed Theodore Roosevelt as vice president in his second term

He was re-elected in 1900 with strong support from business leaders and voters who liked his calm and confident style.

🚨 Assassination and Death

Tragically, McKinley was shot on September 6, 1901, while shaking hands with the public at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. His assassin was Leon Czolgosz, a man who disliked government and believed killing the president would change things.

McKinley died of his wounds on September 14, 1901, and Vice President Theodore Roosevelt became president.

His assassination shocked the nation and led to increased security for future presidents.

🧾 Legacy and Historical Impact

William McKinley’s legacy includes:

• Leading the U.S. into a new era of global influence
• Winning a quick and important war
• Expanding U.S. territory across the world
• Supporting strong business and trade policies

He was popular and respected, and many saw him as a steady, kind, and patriotic leader.

Today, McKinley is remembered for helping the U.S. become a modern world power.

👨‍👩‍👧 Personal Life and Family

McKinley married Ida Saxton, and they had two daughters who sadly died young. Ida suffered from illness, and McKinley took special care of her. People admired his devotion to her.

He was known for being kind, soft-spoken, and polite, even to those who disagreed with him.

💬 Famous Quotes

“Let us ever remember that our interest is in concord, not conflict; and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those of war.”
—McKinley believed peace was more powerful than violence.

“Expositions are the timekeepers of progress.”
—He supported fairs and public events to share inventions and ideas.

💡 Interesting Facts About William McKinley

• He was the last president to serve in the Civil War.
• He wore a red carnation in his lapel for good luck.
• He was the first president to ride in an automobile (after his death, in a funeral procession).
• The state of Hawaii was annexed during his presidency.
• Mount McKinley (now Denali) in Alaska was once named after him.

📚 Vocabulary Words

👧 Kid-Friendly Summary

William McKinley was the 25th president of the United States. He helped the economy grow, protected American businesses, and led the country during the Spanish-American War. The U.S. won the war quickly and gained new lands like Puerto Rico and the Philippines. McKinley w

✅ Interactive Quiz

Q1: What number president was William McKinley?
A. 24th
B. 25th 
C. 26th
D. 23rd

Q2: What war happened during McKinley’s presidency?
A. Civil War
B. World War I
C. Spanish-American War 
D. War of 1812

Q3: What territories did the U.S. gain during McKinley’s term?
A. Mexico and Canada
B. Alaska and Texas
C. Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines 
D. Oregon and Washington

Q4: What happened to McKinley in 1901?
A. He retired
B. He lost re-election
C. He was assassinated 
D. He became a general

Q5: Who became president after McKinley died?
A. Abraham Lincoln
B. Franklin D. Roosevelt
C. Ulysses S. Grant
D. Theodore Roosevelt 

Scoring:

    5/5 = ⭐ McKinley Master

    3–4 = 👍 Nice Try

    1–2 = 📘 Study More!