William McKinley Last Will

Download a free copy of the Will of William McKinley (1843-1901), the 25th President of the United States.

William McKinley Jr. was the last veteran of the American Civil War to be elected as president. He was the last president to serve in the 19th century and the first to serve in the 20th.

McKinley's presidency came during a return to prosperity after the Panic of 1893, and he made gold the base of the currency. He oversaw the US victory over Spain in the Spanish-American War, and the capture of Cuba and the Philippines. His decision to annex the Philippines met with widespread opposition.

McKinley's administration accepted Hawaii's request to join the US, with all of its residents becoming full American citizens.

McKinley was assassinated in 1901 by an anarchist named Leon Czolgosz, and was succeeded by his vice president Theodore Roosevelt.