William McKinley (1843–1901) was the 25th President of the United States, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. A Republican from Ohio, McKinley led the nation during a period of rapid economic growth and emerging global influence. Before his presidency, McKinley served in the Civil War and later built a political career as a U.S. Congressman and Governor of Ohio. As president, he supported high tariffs to protect American industry and backed the gold standard to stabilize the economy. His leadership during the Spanish-American War in 1898 resulted in the U.S. gaining control of territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking a shift toward American imperialism. McKinley was re-elected in 1900 but was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz in 1901 and died eight days later. His death brought Theodore Roosevelt to the presidency.