William McKinley

Birth-Death: (1843 - 1901 ) Term: (1897-1901 )

Europe was changing throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century. Germany and Italy became independent nations by 1880, while Spain and France were losing their prestige. As Spain's condition deteriorated, the Cubans began a rebellion, and when the United States newspapers heard about events off the coast of Florida, they provoked McKinley into beginning a war. The Spanish American War lasted only a hundred days and showed the growing power of the United States. It also marked the first time that the United States acquired territory for colonization, and thus became an imperialistic country.

Chronology of Bill McKinley

1898 - Spanish American War begins

1898 - Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Phillipines become American possesions

1899-1902 - Filipinos revolt against American rule.

1900 - Currency Act of 1900 sets gold standard

1901 - Leon Czolgosz shoots President McKinley