LEON CZOLGOSZ 1901

-FPO$[PMHPT[   death. Before being executed by electric chair the son of Polish Catholic RQ2FWREHU&]ROJRV]LVTXRWHGDV immigrants, spent most of his saying, “I killed the President because he was life working in factories. Enraged the enemy of the good people! I did it for the at the rich and powerful’s help of the good people, the working men of exploitation of the poor, Czolgosz all countries!” became interested in anarchism. He attended lectures and heard The President: anarchist Emma Goldman speak William McKinley LQ&OHYHODQGRQ0D\ Leon Czolgosz Fascinated with Goldman’s 3UHVLGHQW0F.LQOH\WKHWK beliefs, Czolgosz followed her to Chicago and President of the United States, spoke to her as she was on her way to the led the nation to victory in the train station. As Czolgosz’s interest in anarchy Spanish-American War, raised deepened, he decided to follow the example of protective tariffs to promote Gaetano Bresci, who assassinated King Umberto American industry, and I of Italy in July, 1900. Czolgosz shot President maintained the gold standard

McKinley twice at close range in Buffalo, New for U.S. currency. William McKinley Assassination Emma Goldman and the Anarchist Movement

President William Emma Goldman, a Russian immigrant to McKinley was shaking the United States, was a well-known writer, hands with the public speaker, and anarchist leader. Over the course during a reception at of her life, she argued against conscription, the Temple of Music supported birth control, and Pavilion at the Pan- encouraged Americans to American Exposition overthrow their leaders as a in Buffalo, when the means to end the plight of the A contemporary depiction of the assassination. assassination occurred. working class. After McKinley’s When the President reached to shake Leon assassination, police arrested Czolgosz’s hand, Czolgosz shot him twice. The Goldman on charges of ½UVWEXOOHWJUD]HGWKH3UHVLGHQWEXWWKHRWKHU planning the murder, but one lodged in his abdomen. SURVHFXWRUVFRXOG½QGQR

evidence linking Goldman to Emma Goldman Eight days after being shot, President McKinley the attack. died of a gangrene infection to the wound. After McKinley’s assassination, Congress passed For further resources on Leon Czolgosz, go to: OHJLVODWLRQRI½FLDOO\FKDUJLQJWKH6HFUHW6HUYLFH http://www.milwaukeerep.com/season/assassins.html with the protection of the President. “I did it because it is wrong for one man Leon Czolgosz went on trial nine days after the to have so much service when other men President passed away, and was sentenced to have none…” –Leon Czolgosz, Assassins

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