William McKinley and the oratory of nationalism; historical symbolism and the politics of consensus

This thesis was conceived as an attempt to define the elements which comprise McKinley's idea or nationalism and to determine what it was that made his nationalism unique in comparison with that or other eras. Since McKinley wrote very few or his thoughts down on paper and confided very little in other men, a study or his speeches appears to be a major avenue of exploration which had not been utilized before. A thorough reading or his speeches brought to light three unique aspects or his particular brand of nationalism. First, the fact that the United States was still not unified after the great sectional struggles or a halt-century earlier caused him to seek a nationalistic program that would bring about that unity. Secondly, he used symbols to convey major aspects or his program to the people. Thirdly, he believed that America had a national duty to extend the blessing or liberty to those leas fortunate around the world. Each or these factors has become a separate chapter and yet when synthesized they form a dynamic program or nationalism that is worthy or respect.