September 6th, 2024 marks 122 years since the defining violence enacted by anarchist Leon Czolgosz on Former U.S. President McKinley; succumbing to the violence on the 14th, the assassination effectively transformed the political atmosphere of the United States, fueling new growing pains from an increasingly politically divided U.S. The tragic event was received as a foundation for our country to use political and social artistry to better our domestic condition throughout the earliest days of the Progressive Era, catered heavily by his successor President Theodore Roosevelt, painting a picture of a resilient and modernized society- its memory slowly fading in the snapshot of time. This State of the Race is an introspection into the legacy of a progressive President on the eve of the Presidential debate.
McKinley’s Administration
Cementing his legacy as the unifying voice for the United States, coining the sentiment as “the advance agent of prosperity”, during a time of domestic depression and a beacon of hope for Republican Party, President McKinley earned his endorsement from wealthy businessman Marcus Alonzo Hann at the 1896 Republican Convention- sparking a presidential win for the popular presidential candidate over political adversary William Jennings Bryan. Elected into Congress at 34, he became the Republican’s role model- his earliest strive to meet the American people with his campaign expertise advocating for the protective tariff- a high tax on imported goods which served to protect American manufacturers from foreign competition, with primary intentions to serve a developing middle class, keeping wages higher. His career as an attorney and serving in the house were the backdrop that led to much of his electoral success, with promises of prosperity serving as early marking points in his political career. Throughout his political career, he shaped the American public and Republican party to view his leadership as one that would lead the citizenry into domestic and foreign victory- leaving an indelible mark on his prevailing reputation- one heavily defined by Robert M. La Follette- his fellow Congressman, as someone who “represented the newer view”, and “was generally on the side of the public and against private interests”.
McKinley’s presidency- and his controversy, grew exponentially, especially after his pursuits to overpower foreign influence about the U.S. during the Age of Imperialism branching from prevailing ideals of Manifest Destiny- his most resilient achievements being the victory in the U.S. Spanish American War of 1898; gaining control of Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines- also playing a crucial role in the first “freedom” of Cuba from the Spanish as a result of treaty provisions from the war. His achievements, now received with a slight aftertaste due to its unethical nature, and his campaign depending on mediocre promises of superficial prosperity, reflect his prominence within the domestic society- leading to his untimely demise.
The Rise and Fall: VP Takes It All
As the race for U.S. emerging as a global power during this time came neck to neck, a new player needed to be subbed-in, guiding the U.S. into its earliest progressive era under the Roosevelt administration.
Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th president serving from 1901-1909, grew under the McKinley leadership as his Vice President, learning and growing from his expanding influence in the Republican realm and the public eye. While not making many spotlights serving under his vice presidential power, the tragedy that resulted in the September 14th transfer of power gave room for Roosevelt to reach his potential-rising to become one of the most iconic leaders of the White House.
As the youngest man at nearly 43 to presume Presidency of the United States in all of American history, he continued the legacy of McKinley- providing a fresh perspective as the commander in chief with a strong hand as our executive. His leadership complimented McKinley’s legacy as the face for American-focused business and foreign influence- winning the hearts of the American people, energized by his former role as VP and looking forward to long-lasting progress due to his age. He famously became “the steward of the people”- a “father figure” that used a firm hand to guide the U.S. through this national uncertainty- taking leadership personally, using “whatever action necessary for the public good unless expressly forbidden by law or the Constitution”.
Light at the End of the Tunnel: National Newfound Progress
Roosevelt’s progress through his full 2 terms as our nation’s executive are nothing short but revolutionary during this political climate. Working on the advancement of the common man, he fought corporate monopolies and overreach, leveraging trust busting efforts through his political strategy and legacy of his Square Deal: a band of domestic legislative reforms that sought to protect American Business- but not at the expense of the American working class. Many of his revolutionary efforts brought back control to the people, such as his effort to resurrect the Sherman Antitrust Act through a major lawsuit breaking corporate railroad conglomerate Northern Securities Company– one of nearly 43 other major corporations during his presidency.
His legacy cementing our progress as a nation stems further from trust-busting endeavors, as he also lit the path for industrial & living reforms for the American people, including the significant passing of the Pure Food and Drug Act as a response to Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” to combat unsanitary and misused food and drugs in a dishonest and largely unregulated industry- largely as an extension of transparency upon the American people. Earliest conservation efforts to preserve America’s environments were key to his vision of a progressing industry, contributing back into the environment what our domestic industry harvested from it during a period of rapid industrialization and resource allocation- including various wildlife protections.
Shift in U.S. Politics: A “Lit Up” Legacy
The transition of power inspected closely on U.S. politics and Roosevelt’s legacy shows tremendous impact beyond the McKinley Administration. For one, the role of government expanded- one that imposed more regulations on domestic commerce and restrictions on laissez-faire capitalism for the public good, a critique that left Americans feeling like he was a more “liberal” republican leader. Policies aforementioned throughout his political career were incomparable to McKinley’s domestic policy, actively preparing the American atmosphere for the American Progressive Era throughout the 1920’s. Roosevelt’s influence on the perception of presidential successors was left overall positively, inspiring future leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt’s similar yet distinct New Deal programs throughout the 1930’s and later reform movements.
Roosevelt’s leadership particularly stood out in the way we perceive the function and model of the United State’s presidential leaders. Throughout his spotlight known as the leader under Roosevelt’s Corollary principles, operating under what became known as“Big Stick Diplomacy”, he pushed the boundaries of what the American public required from a leader- one that took risks, even if at the time unpopular to protect American interests. This is reflected in his domestic and foreign policy- one of his last achievements in office was the early chartering of the construction of the Panama Canal in 1904- an unpopular venture that he used his full executive power to construct for enriched foreign relations and global trade- completed past his presidency in 1914.
Roosevelt’s strides as an executive brought much unity over the United States, but started earliest divisions between the Republican party- not commonly seen before his presidency during McKinley’s leadership, when the Republican party was arguably at their healthiest and strongest formation. He inspired a changing Republican party, with his impact on the U.S. with “democratic” influences foreshadowing modern internal party struggles between the moderate and far-right factions- ignited via the heavily partisan debate on economic strategy during this period of internal construction.
We are the heirs of the ages, and yet we have had to pay few of the penalties which in old countries are exacted by the dead hand of a bygone civilization.
Teddy Roosevelt
Conclusion
As we reflect on the anniversary of McKinley’s assasination on that 6th day of September, we can flip through the book of U.S. progress starting with the transfer of power to Theodore Roosevelt- a national epicenter of hope towards our earliest steps for a modernized society. This example of transfer of power during times of internal duress demonstrates an opening door for Roosevelt’s transformative policy, which fundamentally altered U.S. politics and governance. Roosevelt’s progressive vision resonates today as we continue to grapple with issues like corporate regulation, labor rights, climate change, social reform movements, and the power and scope of government; especially in an increasingly politically polarized society. Reflecting upon our own national condition, especially during crucial months leading up to Election Day, his unprecedented leadership serves as a reminder that a crisis can spark progress- leaving the nation with no excuse to strive towards greatness, and advance our national morale even in the most unconventional or surprising contexts.
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