McKinley Tariff

The McKinley Tariff, also known as the Tariff Act of 1890, was framed by Representative William McKinley taking effect on October 1, 1890. The tariff raised the average duty on imports to almost 50%, as an act to domestic industries from foreign competition. Republicans strongly supported tariffs to protect growing industries within the United States from foreign competition, and it dramatically increased the tax rate on foreign products, causing a deep division between them and the Democrats in the late 19th century. As many voters perceived this tariff act as a boon to wealthy industrialists, the McKinley Tariff was replaced with the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act in 1894, which lowered tariff rates.