The American President, Donald Trump, mentioned the name of former US President William Mckinley in a recent comment. To understand the context, it is essential to know who William McKinley was.
McKinley served as the 25th President of the United States, and his term was from 1897 until his assassination in September 1901. He advocated for the country’s high tariffs to promote American industry and also led the nation to victory in the Spanish-American War in 1898.
McKinley’s pivotal role in the Annexation of Hawaii, as it transitioned from a republic to a territory of the United States in 1898, was noteworthy. The following year, the Philippine-American War broke out and McKinley had to handle the emerging nation’s imperialistic struggles.
The assassination of President McKinley in September 1901, during his second term, marked a significant event in American history. His assassination led to the introduction of the Secret Service’s role in protecting the President in 1902.
In understanding President Trump’s reference, history shows that McKinley’s presidency marked a period of intense economic growth and territorial expansion for the United States. While it is not immediately clear why President Trump mentioned McKinley, drawing parallels between periods of economic expansion and comparisons on policy implementation can often be found when leaders reference past politicians.
Given the current climate and various political discourses, the reasons behind Trump’s reference to McKinley will continue being speculated upon and examined further in the days to come by experts and historians in the field. His mention of McKinley in his recent speech provides insight into his thought process and perhaps the historical precedents he looks towards when crafting his own presidency.
Last modified: January 22, 2025
