William McKinley: From Religious Man to Imperialist President

William McKinley, a religious man from Ohio, was the last US President to fight in the Civil War. He supported the gold standard and raised tariffs. Despite not wanting to be labeled an expansionist, his presidency marked the beginning of US imperialism, with the Spanish American War leading to the acquisition of territories like Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guam, and the Philippines. McKinley was influenced by public pressure and lies, leading to wars of conquest. He was assassinated in his second term, and his vice president, Theodore Roosevelt, expanded on his policies.

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