1.39: #5 William McKinley

William McKinley is one of the most overlooked presidents in US history. But his five years in office helped shape the modern United States as it entered the twentieth century, and for the first time, expanded beyond the borders of North America, inaugurating a period of what would become known as the imperial presidency. McKinley’s affable nature in dealing with both friends and foes in Congress, combined with his determination, political astuteness, and decisive decision making, helped shape the office of president and laid a foundation for the modern presidency that future presidents would follow throughout the first half of the century.