The Spanish-American War and President McKinley

This volume is based on an earlier study, The Presidency of William McKinley (Lawrence: Regents Press of Kansas, 1980). Since the Spanish-American War was the decisive event of McKinley's years in the White House, the three chapters on the coming of the conflict, the war itself, and the making of peace formed a natural unit. I have provided an opening chapter, which brings McKinley and his administration to the brink of the diplomatic controversy with Spain, and a concluding chapter, which traces the consequences that followed the ratification of the Peace of Paris. These two chapters also draw freely on material in the book on McKinley's presidency. By concentrating on McKinley and the war, I hope that students and colleagues will be able to examine why this conflict was a turning point in American foreign policy and the evolution of the modem presidency. This book thus attempts to fill the need for a brief, up-to-date analysis of how presidential policy under McKinley shaped American entry into the war, brought the fighting to a successful conclusion, and acquired an empire while achieving peace with Spain. R. Hal Williams, Paul Holbo, and Herbert F. Margulies read and criticized the author's work in their usual cooperative and analytical spirit. Mrs. Bonnie Montgomery typed several drafts with customary good humor and exemplary efficiency. Karen Gould has provided loyal support and cheerful inspiration through several years of work on McKinley and his times.Lewis L. Gould Austin, Texas April 1982 This succinct, readable paperback, an outgrowth of the author's highly-acclaimed volume The Presidency of William McKinley substantially supersedes other accounts of the coming of the war with Spain, and provides a new and refreshing perspective on McKinley's handling of the war.

The volume makes clear that McKinley's expansive view of presidential power had a significant effect on his role as commander-in-chief during the war years and on his efforts to make the White House a command post. According the Gould, McKinley laid the foundation of the modern presidency by his courageous and principled presidential leadership during the coming of the war, by the purposive way in which he conducted and oversaw the war itself, and by the manner in which he made peace with Spain, acquired the Philippines, and gained approval of the Treaty of Paris in the Senate.

This lively, thought-provoking analysis is based on the author's highly acclaimed Presidency of William McKinley. "This is by all odds the best study of the coming of the war, the war itself, and the aftermath of the conflict."Paul S. Holbo, University of Oregon. "According to the author, McKinley's enhancement of presidential power and his personal leadership in war-making and diplomacy made him 'the first truly modern president.' This thesis is carefully developed and effectively argued. . . . The book's brevity, readability, and interpretive insights make it attractive for the classroom. . . . But this is no mere digest for undergraduates, for more advanced scholars can learn from it, too." Pacific Historical Review .