Confronting the Presidents: No Spin Assessments from Washington to Biden

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, racism, and mental illness.

On February 15, 1898, the USS Maine sank, killing 261 men. Even though he did not want war with Spain, President William McKinley believed that Spain was the aggressor and that the US had no choice but to respond. “Remember the Maine!” became a rallying cry throughout the ensuing Spanish American War.

McKinley was born in Ohio and worked as a teacher. He fought as an officer in the Civil War and married Ida Saxton, who had epilepsy. In politics, McKinley served as a member of Congress in the influential Ways and Means Committee and was governor of Ohio. In the 1896 election, McKinley, a Republican, ran against the Democratic candidate, William Jennings Bryan from Nebraska. During his campaign, McKinley performed “Front Porch” speeches held in his own front yard. Despite Bryan’s speechmaking skills, McKinley won, especially with votes from California, the Midwest, and the Northeast.

At McKinley’s urging, Congress declared war on Spain. Theodore Roosevelt led a calvary regiment, the “Rough Riders,” at San Juan Hill in Cuba. The United States also captured the Spanish colonies of Puerto Rico and the Philippines and, after the war, kept control of those overseas territories.