President Clausen

Background
After his unwillingness to act to save American missionaries in the Boxer Rebellion of 1899, President William McKinley was widely viewed as unpopular and untrustworthy by the American Public. He was then defeated for reelection in the year 1900 by Illinois governor Clifford E. Clausen.

Boxer Rebellion
In 1899, dissent was spreading among the local population over the European control the city of Peking, China. A group known as the Shadow Boxers quickly sought to repel Western influence, and under the leadership of the Empress Dowager, they quickly began to capture and execute Christian Missionaries. Whilst Americans were among the dead, President McKinley chose not to join Kaiser Wilhelm's alliance to invade Peking. Discouraged by America's disinterest, the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan also chose not to send forces into Peking. The German-made alliance soon collapsed, and the Boxers successfully controlled the city.

1900 Presidential Election
Over the following year, American media was absorbed with the tragic loss of life which had occurred in Peking. President McKinley's popularity plummeted when it was revealed that he chose not to partner with Germany, and in January of 1900, vice president Roosevelt announced that he was challenging the President for the Republican Party's nomination.

Over the next few months, President McKinley narrowly defeated Roosevelt, once again winning his party's nomination with Wisconsin senator Robert LaFollete as his running mate. By November, the Republican ticket was trailing far behind in the polls.

The leader in many polls was the Democratic party's nominee: Illinois governor Clifford E. Clausen.