McKinley was a well-respected president who was committed to improving American society. Through his presidency, America took control of regions in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Asia. In addition to imperialist advances, McKinley was instrumental in maintaining the success of American industry through the use of various tariffs. These successes allowed McKinley to win re-election, but only six months into his second term, Czolgosz assassinated him. The assassination plunged America into a period of anxiety. Even though McKinley was successful as president, citizens were unsure of the country's future direction. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt had proven himself to be a capable military leader, but he had little experience compared to his predecessor. As McKinley was the third president assassinated in the previous fifty years, Roosevelt recognized that he was taking office during one of America's most crucial periods.