William McKinley

Definition

William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. His presidency is particularly notable for his role in the formation and development of the modern American political party system, as he oversaw the consolidation of the Republican Party's dominance in the late 19th century.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. McKinley's presidency marked the transition from the 'Gilded Age' of American politics, dominated by powerful political machines and the spoils system, to the more modern, issue-oriented party system.
2. McKinley's successful 1896 presidential campaign, in which he defeated the populist Democrat William Jennings Bryan, is considered a watershed moment in the consolidation of the Republican Party's dominance.
3. The McKinley Tariff, passed while McKinley was a Congressman, was a key policy that contributed to the Republican Party's electoral defeat in 1892, but its legacy helped shape the party's platform in the late 19th century.
4. McKinley's assassination in 1901 by an anarchist named Leon Czolgosz led to the succession of Theodore Roosevelt, who would go on to become one of the most influential and progressive presidents in American history.
5. McKinley's presidency is often viewed as a transition period between the 'Gilded Age' and the 'Progressive Era' of American politics, with his administration laying the groundwork for the emergence of modern American political parties.

Review Questions

• Explain how William McKinley's presidency contributed to the formation and development of the modern American political party system.
  • William McKinley's presidency marked a significant transition in the American political landscape, as he oversaw the consolidation of the Republican Party's dominance in the late 19th century. McKinley's successful 1896 presidential campaign, in which he defeated the populist Democrat William Jennings Bryan, is considered a watershed moment in this process. Additionally, McKinley's administration helped move the Republican Party away from the 'Gilded Age' politics of political machines and the spoils system, and towards a more issue-oriented, modern party platform. McKinley's legacy laid the groundwork for the emergence of the Progressive Era and the modern American two-party system.
• Describe the role of the McKinley Tariff in shaping the Republican Party's platform and electoral fortunes in the late 19th century.
  • The McKinley Tariff, passed while McKinley was a Congressman, was a key policy that contributed to the Republican Party's electoral defeat in 1892. The tariff significantly raised import duties, leading to increased domestic prices and a backlash from consumers. However, the legacy of the McKinley Tariff helped shape the Republican Party's platform in the late 19th century, as the party continued to advocate for protectionist trade policies. This stance, combined with McKinley's successful 1896 campaign, solidified the Republican Party's dominance and its position as the party of big business and industry, in contrast to the Democrats' more populist, anti-tariff platform.
• Analyze the impact of McKinley's assassination on the subsequent trajectory of American politics and the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt.
  • McKinley's assassination in 1901 by an anarchist named Leon Czolgosz was a pivotal moment in American history, as it led to the succession of Theodore Roosevelt, who would go on to become one of the most influential and progressive presidents in American history. Roosevelt's ascension to the presidency marked a significant shift in the Republican Party's platform, as he championed a more activist, reform-minded agenda that contrasted with the more conservative policies of the McKinley administration. Roosevelt's 'Square Deal' domestic program and his aggressive approach to trust-busting and conservation laid the foundation for the Progressive Era, which would fundamentally reshape the role of the federal government in American society and the economy. Thus, McKinley's tragic death and Roosevelt's subsequent presidency had a profound impact on the trajectory of American politics in the early 20th century.

Related terms

Republican Party:

The Republican Party, also known as the GOP, is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. It was founded in the 1850s and has historically advocated for conservative and right-wing policies.

Spoils System:

The spoils system, also known as patronage, was a practice in American politics in which a newly elected official would appoint their political supporters to government jobs, regardless of merit.

McKinley Tariff: The McKinley Tariff was a protective tariff law passed in 1890 during McKinley's time as a Congressman. It significantly raised import duties, leading to increased domestic prices and contributing to the Republican Party's electoral defeat in the 1892 presidential election.