On September 6, 1901, President William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, was shot twice by anarchist Leon Czolgosz during a public reception at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. McKinley initially survived the assassination attempt but succumbed to gangrene caused by his wounds eight days later, dying on September 14, 1901. His assassination marked a significant turning point in American political history, abruptly ending an era characterized by post-Civil War economic expansion and transitioning national leadership to the Progressive policies championed by Vice President Theodore Roosevelt.
Leon Czolgosz, motivated by anarchist ideals and radicalized by economic inequality, viewed McKinley as the embodiment of an oppressive government favoring corporate interests over working-class struggles. His attack intensified nationwide fears of anarchism and spurred a wave of stringent security measures, anti-immigrant sentiment, and political backlash against radical movements. The incident deeply affected the public psyche, reshaped presidential security protocols, and accelerated America’s shift toward progressive reforms.
This case file thoroughly examines the historical background, political atmosphere, intricate details of the plot and assassination, the immediate response and aftermath, legal proceedings against the assassin, and the broader long-term implications for American governance, security policies, and socio-political attitudes.
- Executive Summary
- Historical Background: The McKinley Presidency
- Political and Social Context: America at the Turn of the Century
- Anarchism in America and Czolgosz’s Radicalization
- The Pan-American Exposition and Presidential Reception
- The Assassination: September 6, 1901
- Medical Treatment and Death of the President
- National Reaction and Mourning
- The Investigation: Secret Service and Local Police Efforts
- Trial of Leon Czolgosz
- Execution and Public Response
- Legacy and Impact on Presidential Security
- Broader Consequences for Anarchist Movements and Immigration Policy
- Controversies and Alternate Theories
- Primary Source Appendix