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William McKinley – The Imperialist Takes Office (VUS.9)
Under the administration of William McKinley, America had come of age in the world. Once a set of colonies, the US was now creating an empire of its own that would stretch from the Philippines to Puerto Rico. Check out the issues and players in the Election of 1896 -
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William McKinely Administration
Under the administration of William McKinley, America had come of age in the world. Once a set of colonies, the US was now creating an empire of its own that would stretch from the Philippines to Puerto Rico. -
The DeLome Letter and Yellow Journalism (VUS.9a)
The Spanish minister to the United States wrote a letter that contained direct insults toward President McKinley. Published by W.R. Hearst in the New York Journal begins the “Yellow Journalism” (exaggeration and fabrication of facts to sensationalize stories and sell newspapers) begins to cause Americans to dislike Spain. -
“Remember the Maine” (VUS.9a)
The USS Maine explodes and sinks in Havana, Cuba. The American “yellow journalists” quickly blame the Spanish for the disaster, and War Hawks begin voice further concerns about assisting Cuba win independence from Spain. MORE -
Congress declares war on Spain (VUS.9a)
As a result of so much “Yellow Journalism” and the explosion of the USS Maine, the United States engaged in what would be called a “splendid little war”. MORE -
Battle of Manila Bay (VUS.9a)
Admiral Dewey, facing a larger but technologically deficient Spanish fleet, crushes the Spanish Navy – opening occupation of the Philippines. The decisive battle proved America’s rising global power. MORE on the battle -
American Navy takes Guam from the Spanish (VUS.9a)
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The Charge of San Juan Hill (VUS.9a)
Soon to be President Theodore Roosevelt leads his “Rough Riders” in the charge of San Juan Hill, which made him a war hero. -
United States annexes Hawaii (VUS.9a)
After deposing the Hawaiian Monarchy and establishing a new government, business leaders in Hawaii convinced Congress and McKinley to annex. American interest included plantations, a refueling station for trade with China, and as a site for a naval base in Pearl Harbor. MORE -
American Forces take Spanish Puerto Rico (VUS.9a)
with little resistance -
Spanish forces surrender the Philippines to American forces. (VUS.9a)
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Treaty of Paris ends the Spanish War; (VUS.9a)
Cuba becomes a protectorate, the United States gains territories of the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico. -
The Filipinos Revolt
After the annexation of the Philippines, revolutionaries demanded and began fighting for independence from the United States. Eventually, William Taft would be assigned as Governor of the Philippines. Fighting would continue for several years… -
Open Door Policy (VUS.9a)
Secretary of State John Hay demands the end of spheres of influence and open trade in China. Also in the note, was a plea for foreigners to respect Chinese Law rather than their own admiralty laws in those spheres, territorial sovereignty of the Chinese Empire. MORE -
America returns to the Gold Standard
This law established the standard of value for all money issued or coined by the United States. It marked a victory for the "goldbugs" from the Northeast and urban Midwest who pushed for gold-backed currency to stabilize industrial investment. -
Carnegie Steel Company is organized (VUS.8b)
Considered a “Captain of Industry”, Andrew Carnegie symbolized the concept of social mobility and moving from rags-to-riches. He came to dominate the Steel Industry which fueled the growth of American commerce and production. Read MORE -
McKinley is re-elected,
with Theodore Roosevelt as his Vice-President, and Republicans control both houses of Congress. MORE -
Congress adapts the Platt Amendment (VUS.9a)
This provided for Cuba to be a true protectorate of the US; America would intervene in Cuba if there was a threat to sovereignty. It was made a formal treaty on May 22, 1903. -
McKinley is SHOT!
An anarchist in Buffalo, NY shot William McKinley the day after he gave a speech with called for reciprocal trade agreements to help bolster American foreign markets. The assassin, Leon Czolgosz expressed no remorse, and was put to the electric chair by the end of the year. McKinley died on September 14 – making him the third president assassinated in 50 years! MORE
