The Forgotten Architect: How William McKinley Built an American Empire

He's the president you probably can't name, but William McKinley made decisions that still shape America's role in the world today. From the Spanish-American War to the Philippine insurgency, McKinley presided over America's transformation from a continental republic to a global empire—setting us on a path we're still walking.After our special 20th episode exploring WWE history with my son Lincoln, we're back with a deep dive into one of history's most overlooked pivotal moments. Was McKinley a reluctant imperialist dragged into global politics, or the architect of American power? Did he create American greatness or American overreach?Join me as we explore Robert W. Merry's "President McKinley: Architect of the American Century" and discover how the debates of the 1890s—about intervention, empire, and America's role abroad—echo in every foreign policy decision we make today.From the explosion of the USS Maine to the brutal realities of counterinsurgency in the Philippines, this is the story of how America became a world power... and the costs that came with it.📚 Book Featured: "President McKinley: Architect of the American Century" by Robert W. Merry#History #AmericanHistory #Presidents #WilliamMcKinley #SpanishAmericanWar #Empire #ForeignPolicy #HistoryPodcast