S1 E8: William McKinley

Today’s episode is all about William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, the president who brought the country into the twentieth century and whose death left the nation in the hands of one of the all-time-great leaders, and characters, in American history, Theodore Roosevelt.  Historians typically view McKinley’s time in office as a moment of, well less transition, than visible transformation, as the country entered the new century more industrialized, urban, and globally powerful than ever before.  And even more so by the time he left office. One example: as we’ve discussed in depth so far this season, American historians typically divide our past, and more important our survey courses, with reconstruction at 1877.  Foreign policy historians typically use 1898 instead.  On this episode you'll learn why this moment is so pivotal, and also why the politics and economics of the McKinley age in many ways starkly resemble our own.

This episode features guests Dr. Daniel Immerwahr and Dr. Richard Maass. Visit pastpromisepresidency.com to learn more.