President William McKinley outlined part of his foreign policy for the United States in his first inaugural address, which he gave upon becoming president in 1897. 1) Skim the paragraph and define words listed below. If you find additional words that are unfamiliar to you, list and define them. 2) Read the following paragraph from McKinley's speech. 3) Paraphrase the paragraph from the speech. (Paraphrasing is rewriting the speech in your own words. Be sure that you understand the main idea of the passage, and keep that in mind as you paraphrase each section.) 4) In a Brief Constructed Response (BCR), explain what you think McKinley would do if the United States were to get into a conflict with another country. Use supporting evidence from the reading.

A painting of President William McKinley, as he took the oath of office in 1893. Painting was made on February 8, 1933. (AP Photo)

President William McKinley's First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1897 It has been the policy of the United States since the foundation of the Government to cultivate relations of peace and amity with all the nations of the world, and this accords with my conception of our duty now. We have cherished the policy of non-interference with affairs of foreign governments wisely inaugurated by Washington, keeping ourselves free from entanglement, either as allies or foes, content to leave undisturbed with them the settlement of their own domestic concerns. It will be our aim to pursue a firm and dignified foreign policy, which shall be just, impartial, ever watchful of our national honor, and always insisting upon the enforcement of the lawful rights of American citizens everywhere. Our diplomacy should seek nothing more and accept nothing less than is due us. We want no wars of conquest; we must avoid the temptation of territorial aggression. War should never be entered upon until every agency of peace has failed; peace is preferable to war in almost every contingency.

To read the full text of the speech, CLICK HERE