State of the Union Addresses

"State of the Union Addresses" by William McKinley is a collection of historical speeches delivered by the 25th President of the United States during the late 19th century. The addresses reflect McKinley's thoughts and policies on crucial national and foreign issues during his presidency, capturing a transformative era in American history, especially in relation to economic reform, military engagements, and foreign relations with Cuba and Spain. The opening of the first address, delivered on December 6, 1897, presents McKinley's greetings to the Congress while emphasizing national unity and the importance of shared governance. He discusses key issues such as tariff laws and currency reforms, stressing the need for a solid financial foundation. McKinley articulately outlines the U.S. government's role and responsibility in addressing foreign conflicts, particularly the ongoing situation between Spain and Cuba, illustrating the humanitarian concerns and geopolitical dynamics at play. This introductory portion sets the stage for a serious examination of pressing national challenges and embodies McKinley’s aspirations for peace, economic stability, and the nation’s role on the international stage. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William McKinley was the 25th president of the United States, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. A member of the Republican Party, he led a realignment that made Republicans largely dominant in the industrial states and nationwide for decades. He presided over victory in the Spanish–American War of 1898; gained control of Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines; restored prosperity after a deep depression; rejected the inflationary monetary policy of free silver, keeping the nation on the gold standard; and raised protective tariffs.