Saturday Class - William McKinley and America's Manifest Destiny - August 2, 2025

In this episode of Promethean Action's Saturday night class from August 2nd, host Tony Papert and guest speaker Bob Ingraham delve into the topic of America's Manifest Destiny, with special focus on President William McKinley. Bob introduces his recently published biography of McKinley and discusses the controversial Spanish-American War, while examining the true meaning and historical context of Manifest Destiny. The class also reflects on various historical figures and documents including George Washington and John Quincy Adams. A brief discussion on current demographic trends in the U.S. is also covered, tying back to the broader theme of America's enduring principles and mission.

00:00 Introduction and Overview
01:38 Manifest Destiny and American Expansion
05:33 Historical Perspectives on Manifest Destiny
08:34 The Pilgrims' Vision for America
12:49 Founding Fathers' Ideals
18:44 Global Context and American Principles
30:29 The Spanish-American War and Imperialism
42:11 The Relentless Struggle in Cuba
43:06 The Explosion of the USS Maine
44:35 McKinley's Final Offer and Declaration of War
46:36 America's War Aims and McKinley's Vision
48:18 The Unexpected Philippines Dilemma
49:45 McKinley's Reluctant Decision on the Philippines
55:05 The Path to Philippine Autonomy
59:35 McKinley's Legacy and America's Manifest Destiny
01:13:29 Demographic Trends and Political Implications