=The Leading Facts.= _1._ William McKinley was born in Ohio. _2._ He went to college at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and afterwards taught school. _3._ Enlisted as a private in 1861 and won praise and promotion for bravery in fighting for the Union. _4._ After the war he studied law and opened an office in Canton, Ohio. _5._ Was a good speaker and was sent to Congress at Washington for seven terms. _6._ Twice governor of Ohio, he was elected president of the United States in 1896. _7._ The Cubans had revolted many times against Spanish oppression and now rose again. _8._ The Americans sympathized with the suffering Cubans; Congress voted fifty thousand dollars for relief work. _9._ The United States battleship _Maine_ blown up in Havana Harbor. _10._ Spain declared war against the United States. _11._ Admiral George Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet at Manila in the Philippine Islands. _12._ American forces, among them the Rough Riders, attacked the Spanish in Cuba. _13._ American fleet destroyed the Spanish fleet at Santiago. _14._ Peace proposals came from Spain and the treaty of peace was signed in December, 1898. _15._ The United States bought the Philippines from Spain, the Hawaiian Islands were annexed, and Cuba became a republic. _16._ Guam and Porto Rico also became American possessions. _17._ Conditions in former Spanish possessions greatly improved. _18._ McKinley was assassinated by an anarchist while he was the guest of the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, in September, 1901 and died soon after. =Study Questions.= _1._ Describe McKinley's boyhood surroundings and what he liked to do. _2._ What made him fall ill? _3._ How did he answer Lincoln's call for troops? _4._ What effect did army life have on his health? _5._ What did he do after the war? _6._ To what public office was he elected? _7._ Why did the Cubans revolt against Spain? _8._ How did the Spaniards attempt to crush the revolt? _9._ What did the Americans do to relieve the suffering of the Cubans? _10._ What did they want to do? _11._ How did the sinking of the Maine affect Americans? _12._ What did the United States demand of Spain? _13._ Describe Dewey's action at Manila. _14._ What state led in the number of volunteers? _15._ What were the "Rough Riders"? _16._ What happened at Santiago? _17._ What finally brought peace proposals from Spain? _18._ Why had the war been fought? _19._ What did the Americans do in the Philippines? _20._ What other islands came into American possession? _21._ What happened in Cuba? _22._ When and in what city was President McKinley assassinated? =Suggested Readings.= Stratemeyer, _American Boy's Life of William McKinley_; Morris, _The War with Spain_, 150-169, 180-214, 267-285; Barrett, _Admiral George Dewey_, 55-152, 230-251; Ross, _Heroes of Our War with Spain_. THE MAN WHO WAS THE CHAMPION OF DEMOCRACY