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{{dablink|This article is about the U.S. President. For the Ohio Congressman, see [[James G. Polk]].  For the submarine, see [[USS James K. Polk]].}}
{{subpages}}  
{{Infobox_President | name=James Knox Polk
| nationality=american
| image=polkpolk.jpg
| wh image=Gw1.gif
| order=11th [[President of the United States]]
| term_start=[[March 4]], [[1845]]
| term_end=[[March 4]], [[1849]]
| vicepresident=[[George M. Dallas]]
| predecessor=[[John Tyler]]
| successor=[[Zachary Taylor]]
| birth_date=[[November 3]], [[1795]]
| birth_place=[[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina]]
| death_date={{death date and age|1849|06|15|1795|11|03}}
| death_place=[[Nashville, Tennessee]]
| spouse=[[Sarah Childress Polk]]
| party=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| religion=[[Methodist]]
| signature=James K. Polk signature.gif
| order2=17th [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]]
| term_start2=[[December 7]], [[1835]]
| term_end2=[[March 4]], [[1839]]
| predecessor2=[[John Bell (Tennessee politician)|John Bell]]
| successor2=[[Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter|Robert M. T. Hunter]]
|}}


'''James Knox Polk''' ([[November 2]] [[1795]]–[[June 15]] [[1849]]) was the eleventh [[President of the United States]], serving from [[March 4]], [[1845]] to [[March 4]], [[1849]]. Polk was born in [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina]], but mostly lived in and represented the state of [[Tennessee]]. A [[History of the United States Democratic Party|Democrat]], Polk served as [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]] (1835–1839) and [[List of Governors of Tennessee|governor of Tennessee]] (1839–1841) prior to becoming president.
[[Image:Jpolk.jpg|James K. Polk|right|thumb]]


Polk is noted for his foreign policy successes. He threatened war with Britain then backed away and split the ownership of the Northwest with Britain. He is even more famous for leading the successful [[Mexican–American War]]. He lowered the tariff and established a treasury system that lasted until 1913. A "[[dark horse]]" in 1844, he was the first president who retired after one term and did not seek re-election.  He died three months after his term ended.
'''James Knox Polk''' (November 2, 1795–June 15, 1849) was the eleventh [[President of the United States of  America]], elected in 1844. Polk was governor of [[Tennessee (U.S. state)|Tennessee]] and Speaker of the U.S. House. A [[Democratic Party (United States), history|Democrat]], Polk was the surprise ("dark horse") candidate for president in 1844, defeating Whig [[Henry Clay]] by promising to annex Texas.  


As a Democrat committed to geographic expansion (or "[[Manifest Destiny]]") he overrode Whig objections and was responsible for the largest expansion of the nation's territory (exceeding even the [[Louisiana Purchase]]). He secured the [[Oregon Territory]] (including Washington, Oregon and Idaho), then purchased 1.2 million square miles through the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] that ended the [[Mexican–American War]]. The expansionism, however, opened a furious debate over slavery in the new territories that was resolved by the [[Compromise of 1850]]. He signed the [[Walker Tariff]] that brought an era of near free trade to the country until 1861. He oversaw the opening of the [[United States Naval Academy|U.S. Naval Academy]] and the [[Smithsonian]], the groundbreaking for the [[Washington Monument]], and the issuance of the first [[postage stamp]]s in the United States, introduced by his [[United States Postmaster General|Postmaster General]] [[Cave Johnson]]. He was the first President of the United States to be extensively photographed while in office.<ref>[http://www.whitehousehistory.org/08/subs/08_b.html The White House Historical Association], retrieved [[January 23]], [[2007]]</ref> [[Historical rankings of United States Presidents|Scholars]] have ranked him [[8th]] to 12th on the list of greatest presidents for his ability to set an agenda and achieve all of it.  
Polk is noted for his foreign policy successes. He threatened war with Britain then compromised and split the ownership of the Northwest with Britain.  When Mexico called for war over the annexation of Texas, Polk responded aggressively, sending armies to protect Texas and conquer New Mexico and California, to invade northern Mexico, and finally to invade and capture  Mexico City. When Mexico finally sued for peace he paid millions to acquire full title to New Mexico and California, but rejected suggestions to take over all of Mexico.  He lowered the [[Tariff of 1846, U.S.|tariff]] and established a treasury system that lasted until 1913.  He retired after one term and did not seek re-election.  He died three months after his term ended.
 
As a Democrat committed to geographic expansion (or "[[Manifest Destiny]]") he overrode Whig objections and was responsible for the largest expansion of the nation's territory (exceeding even the [[Louisiana Purchase]]). He secured the [[Oregon Territory]] (including Washington, Oregon and Idaho), then purchased 1.2 million square miles through the [[Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo]] that ended the  
[[Mexican-American War]]. The expansionism, however, opened a furious debate over slavery in the new territories that was resolved by the [[Compromise of 1850]]. He signed the [[Tariff of 1846, U.S.|Walker Tariff of 1846]] that brought an era of near free trade to the country until 1861. He oversaw the opening of the [[United States Naval Academy|U.S. Naval Academy]] and the [[Smithsonian]], the groundbreaking for the [[Washington Monument]], and the issuance of the first postage stamps in the U.S. He was the first President of the United States to be extensively photographed while in office.<ref>[http://www.whitehousehistory.org/08/subs/08_b.html The White House Historical Association], retrieved [[January 23]], 2007</ref> Presidential scholars have ranked him 8th to 12th on the list of greatest presidents for his ability to set an agenda and achieve all of it.


==Early life==  
==Early life==  
[[Image:James_K._Polk_portrait.png|thumb|right|Portrait of Polk before his presidency.]]
 
Polk, the first of ten children, was born in what is now [[Pineville, North Carolina]] in [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg County]] in 1795. His father, Samuel Polk, was a slaveholder, farmer and [[Surveyor (surveying)|surveyor]] of [[Scots-Irish]] descent, and related to Scottish nobility. His mother, Jane Polk (née Knox) was a descendant of the Scottish religious reformer [[John Knox]]. In 1806, the Polk family moved to Tennessee, settling near [[Duck River (Tennessee)|Duck River]] in what is now [[Maury County, Tennessee|Maury County]]. The family grew prosperous, with Samuel Polk becoming one of the leading planters of the area. When James was 11, his family moved to [[Nashville, Tennessee]]<!-- this is my understanding of the sentence --~~~~ -->.
Polk, the first of ten children, was born in what is now [[Pineville, North Carolina]] in [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg County]] in 1795. His father, Samuel Polk, was a slaveholder, farmer and [[Surveyor (surveying)|surveyor]] of [[Scots-Irish]] descent, and related to Scottish nobility. His mother, Jane Polk (née Knox) was a descendant of the Scottish religious reformer [[John Knox]]. In 1806, the Polk family moved to Tennessee, settling near [[Duck River (Tennessee)|Duck River]] in what is now [[Maury County, Tennessee|Maury County]]. The family grew prosperous, with Samuel Polk becoming one of the leading planters of the area. When James was 11, his family moved to [[Nashville, Tennessee]]<!-- this is my understanding of the sentence --~~~~ -->.


During his childhood, James suffered from poor health. In 1812, his father took him to [[Kentucky]], where the famous surgeon Dr. [[Ephraim McDowell]] conducted an operation to remove [[Bladder stone|urinary stone]]s. The operation may have left James sterile, as Polk never had children. For the rest of his life, Polk did enjoy comparatively better health.  
During his childhood, James suffered from poor health. In 1812, his father took him to Kentucky, where the famous surgeon Dr. Ephraim McDowell conducted an operation to remove urinary stones. The operation may have left James sterile, as Polk never had children. For the rest of his life, Polk did enjoy comparatively better health.  


Polk was [[home school]]ed; his formal education began at the age of 18, when he studied at [[Zion Presbyterian Church (Tennessee)|Zion Church]] near his home. He later attended a school in [[Murfreesboro, Tennessee|Murfreesboro]], where he met his future wife, [[Sarah Childress Polk|Sarah Childress]]. After less than three years of attending the school, Polk left Tennessee to enroll in the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]. While there, he practiced his oratorical skills as a member of [[Di Phi|the Dialectic Society]]. He graduated in 1818 and returned to [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] to study law under [[Felix Grundy]]. Polk was admitted to the [[bar (law)|bar]] in 1820, and established his own practice in [[Columbia, Tennessee]]. He worked with [[Aaron V. Brown]], future [[Governor of Tennessee]] and [[United States Postmaster General|Postmaster General]].
Polk was home schooled; his formal education began at the age of 18, when he studied at Zion Church near his home. He later attended a school in Murfreesboro, where he met his future wife, Sarah Childress. After less than three years of attending the school, Polk left Tennessee to enroll in the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]. While there, he practiced his oratorical skills as a member of the Dialectic Society. He graduated in 1818 and returned to Nashville, Tennessee to study law under [[Felix Grundy]]. Polk was admitted to the bar in 1820, and established his own practice in [[Columbia, Tennessee]]. He worked with [[Aaron V. Brown]], future governor of Tennessee and postmaster general.


==Career as slaveholder==   
==Career as slaveholder==   
Line 43: Line 22:


==Political career==
==Political career==
Polk was brought up as a [[Jeffersonian democracy|Jeffersonian Democrat]], for his father and grandfather were strong supporters of [[Thomas Jefferson]]. The first public office he held was that of chief clerk of the Senate of Tennessee (1821&ndash;1823); he resigned the position in order to run his successful campaign for the state legislature. Polk's oratory became popular, earning him the nickname "[[Napoleon of the Stump]]." He courted [[Sarah Childress]], and they married on [[January 1]], [[1824]].  
Polk was brought up as a [[Jeffersonian Democracy|Jeffersonian Democrat]], for his father and grandfather were strong supporters of [[Thomas Jefferson]]. The first public office he held was that of chief clerk of the Senate of Tennessee (1821&ndash;1823); he resigned the position in order to run his successful campaign for the state legislature. Polk's oratory became popular, earning him the nickname "Napoleon of the Stump." He courted [[Sarah Childress]], and they married on January 1, 1824.  


Polk became a supporter of [[Andrew Jackson]], then the leading politician of Tennessee. In 1824, Jackson [[U.S. presidential election, 1824|ran for President]], while Polk campaigned for the [[United States House election, 1824|House of Representatives]]. Polk succeeded, but Jackson was defeated. Though Jackson had won the [[popular vote]], neither he nor any of the other candidates ([[John Quincy Adams]], [[Henry Clay]], and [[William H. Crawford]]) had obtained a majority of the electoral vote, allowing the House of Representatives to select the victor. In his first speech, Polk expressed his belief that the House's decision to choose Adams was a violation of the will of the people; he even proposed (unsuccessfully) that the [[Electoral College]] be abolished.  
Polk became a supporter of [[Andrew Jackson]], then the leading politician of Tennessee. In 1824, Jackson ran for President, while Polk campaigned for the House of Representatives. Polk succeeded, but Jackson was defeated. Though Jackson had won the popular vote, neither he nor any of the other candidates ([[John Quincy Adams]], [[Henry Clay]], and [[William H. Crawford]]) had obtained a majority of the electoral vote, allowing the House of Representatives to select the victor. In his first speech, Polk expressed his belief that the House's decision to choose Adams was a violation of the will of the people; he even proposed (unsuccessfully) that the [[Electoral College]] be abolished.  


In [[History of the United States House of Representatives|Congress]], Polk was a firm supporter of [[Jacksonian democracy]]; he opposed the [[Second Bank of the United States]], favored gold and silver over paper money; distrusted banks; and preferred agricultural interests over industrial ones. This behavior earned him the nickname "Young Hickory," an allusion to Andrew Jackson's sobriquet, "Old Hickory." After Jackson defeated Adams in the [[U.S. presidential election, 1828|presidential election of 1828]], Polk rose in prominence, becoming the leader of the pro-Administration faction in Congress. As chairman of the powerful [[U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means|Ways and Means Committee]], he lent his support to the President to abolish the National Bank.  
In Congress, Polk was a firm supporter of [[Jacksonian Democracy]]; he opposed the [[Second Bank of the United States]], favored gold and silver over paper money; distrusted banks; and preferred agricultural interests over industrial ones. This behavior earned him the nickname "Young Hickory," an allusion to Andrew Jackson's sobriquet, "Old Hickory." After Jackson defeated Adams in the presidential election of 1828, Polk rose in prominence, becoming the leader of the pro-Administration faction in Congress. As chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, he lent his support to the President to abolish the National Bank.  


===Speaker of the House===
===Speaker of the House===
Polk became speaker in 1835. Jackson left office two years later, to be succeeded by fellow Democrat [[Martin Van Buren]]. Van Buren's term was a period of heated political rivalry between the Democrats and the [[United States Whig Party|Whigs]], with the latter often subjecting Polk to insults, invectives, and challenges to duels.
Polk became speaker in 1835. Jackson left office two years later, to be succeeded by fellow Democrat [[Martin Van Buren]]. Van Buren's term was a period of heated political rivalry between the Democrats and the [[Whigs]], with the latter often subjecting Polk to insults, invectives, and challenges to duels.


===Governor of Tennessee===
===Governor of Tennessee===
In 1838, the political situation in Tennessee&mdash;where, in 1835, Democrats had lost the governorship for the first time in their party's history&mdash;convinced Polk to return to help the party at home. Leaving Congress in [[1839]], Polk became a candidate in the Tennessee gubernatorial election, defeating [[Whig Party (United States)|the incumbent Whig]], [[Newton Cannon]]<!-- how much is this in terms of %?: by about 2,500 votes-->. Though he revitalized Democrats in Tennessee, his victory could not put a stop to the political decline of the Democratic Party elsewhere in the nation. In the [[U.S. presidential election, 1840|presidential election of 1840]], Van Buren was overwhelmingly defeated by a popular Whig, [[William Henry Harrison]]. Polk received one electoral vote for [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] in the election{{citation}}. Polk lost his own gubernatorial re-election bid to a Whig, [[James C. Jones]], in 1841. He challenged Jones in 1843 but was defeated once again.  Throughout all three of these campaigns, he focused on the policy differences on the economy between the Whigs and the Democrats. He attacked the Whig platform on economic policies during these campaigns. These three campaigns of attacking the Whigs largely helped him gain national spotlight within the Democratic Party, which helped him win the nomination for president in 1844.
In 1838, the political situation in Tennessee&mdash;where, in 1835, Democrats had lost the governorship for the first time in their party's history&mdash;convinced Polk to return to help the party at home. Leaving Congress in 1839, Polk became a candidate in the Tennessee gubernatorial election, defeating Whig incumbent Newton Cannon. Though he revitalized Democrats in Tennessee, his victory could not put a stop to the political decline of the Democratic Party elsewhere in the nation. In the presidential election of 1840, Van Buren was overwhelmingly defeated by a popular Whig, [[William Henry Harrison]]. Polk lost his own gubernatorial re-election bid to a Whig, James C. Jones, in 1841. He challenged Jones in 1843 but was defeated once again.  Throughout all three of these campaigns, he focused on the policy differences on the economy between the Whigs and the Democrats. He attacked the Whig platform on economic policies during these campaigns. These three campaigns of attacking the Whigs largely helped him gain national spotlight within the Democratic Party, which helped him win the nomination for president in 1844.


==Election of 1844==
==Election of 1844==
[[image:ElectoralCollege1844-Large.png|thumb|300px|Presidential electoral votes by state.]]
Polk initially hoped to be nominated for vice-president at the Democratic convention, in May 1844. The leading contender for the presidential nomination was former President [[Martin Van Buren]], who wanted to stop the expansion of slavery. Other candidates included [[James Buchanan]] (a moderate) and General [[Lewis Cass]] (an expansionist). The primary point of political contention involved the annexation of the [[Republic of Texas]], which, after winning independence from Mexico in 1836, sought to join the United States. Van Buren opposed the annexation but in doing so lost the support of many Democrats, including former President [[Andrew Jackson]], who still had much influence.  
{{main|United States presidential election, 1844}}
===1844 convention===
Polk initially hoped to be nominated for vice-president at the [[Democratic National Convention|Democratic convention]], which began on [[May 27]], [[1844]]. The leading contender for the presidential nomination was former President Martin Van Buren, who wanted to stop the expansion of slavery. Other candidates included [[James Buchanan]] (a moderate) and General [[Lewis Cass]] (an expansionist). The primary point of political contention involved the [[Republic of Texas]], which, after declaring independence from [[Mexico]] in 1836, had asked to join the United States. Van Buren opposed the annexation but in doing so lost the support of many Democrats, including former President Andrew Jackson, who still had much influence. Van Buren won a simple majority on the convention's first ballot but did not attain the two-thirds supermajority required for nomination. After six more ballots, when it became clear that Van Buren would not win the required majority, Polk was put forth as a "dark horse" candidate. The eighth ballot was also indecisive, but on the ninth, the convention unanimously nominated Polk, who had Jackson's support. Despite having served as speaker of the House of Representatives, he was relatively unknown, leading many Whigs to snipe, "Who is James K. Polk?"
Prior the convention, Jackson told Polk that he was his favorite for the nomination. Even with this support, Polk still instructed his managers at the convention to support Van Buren, but only if it was certain that Van Buren had a chance to win the nomination.  This assured that if a deadlock convention occurred, initial supporters of Van Buren would pick Polk as a compromise candidate for the Democrats. In the end, this is exactly what happened as a result for Polk's support of westward expansion.


Prior the convention, Polk was called to the home of Andrew Jackson, by Jackson himself. Jackson told Polk that he was his favorite for the nomination of the Democratic Party. Even with this support, Polk still instructed his managers at the convention to support Van Buren, but only if it was certain that Van Buren had a chance to win the nomination. This assured that if a deadlock convention occured, intial supporters of Van Buren would pick Polk as a compromise candidate for the Democrats. In the end, this is exactly what happened as a result for Polk's support of westward expansion.<ref>ED. Brinkley, Alan and Davis Dyer. "The American Presidency." Houghton Mifflin Company. 2004. ISBN 0-618-38273-9 pages 129-138</ref>
A Southern, anti-Van Buren faction, angered at Van Buren's opposition to Texas, took control of the convention on the first day by having one of its own elected as convention chairman. The faction controlled the proceedings sufficiently to keep Van Buren from winning the needed two-thirds vote on the first ballot. Polk entered the race on the sixth ballot and won the nomination on the seventh, when Van Buren supporters, strongly opposed to the nomination of front-runner Lewis Cass, stampeded to the dark horse Polk camp. Polk quickly moved to win the support of Van Buren, Cass, and other aspirants to the presidency by announcing his intention to serve only one term. He also sought to smooth over relations with Northern Democrats by assuring them he was not involved in the plot to reject Van Buren's nomination. With the assistance of party patriarch Andrew Jackson, he also succeeded in persuading incumbent John Tyler not to run for reelection. Polk managed to win a particularly vitriolic presidential race against Whig Henry Clay, despite losing his home state.


When advised of his nomination, Polk replied: "It has been well observed that the office of President of the United States should neither be sought nor declined. I have never sought it, nor should I feel at liberty to decline it, if conferred upon me by the voluntary [[suffrage]]s of my fellow citizens." Because the Democratic Party was splintered into bitter factions, Polk promised to serve only one term if elected, hoping that his disappointed rival Democrats would unite behind him with the knowledge that another candidate would be chosen in four years.<ref>Haynes, Sam W. ''James K. Polk and the Expansionist Impulse''. 2001. ISBN 0-321-08798-4. p.61-2</ref>
Because the Democratic Party was splintered into bitter factions, Polk promised to serve only one term if elected, hoping that his disappointed rival Democrats would unite behind him with the knowledge that another candidate would be chosen in four years.<ref>Sam W. Haynes, ''James K. Polk and the Expansionist Impulse''. 2001. p.61-2</ref>


[[Image:Polk Dallas campaign banner.jpg|thumb|1844 campaign banner]]
Polk's Whig opponent was [[Henry Clay]] of Kentucky. (Incumbent Whig President [[John Tyler]]&mdash;a former Democrat&mdash;had become estranged from the Whigs and was not nominated for a second term.) The question of the annexation of Texas dominated the campaign. Polk was a strong proponent of immediate annexation, while Clay seemed more equivocal and vacillating.   
Polk's Whig opponent in the [[U.S. presidential election, 1844|1844 presidential election]] was [[Henry Clay]] of Kentucky. (Incumbent Whig President [[John Tyler]]&mdash;a former Democrat&mdash;had become estranged from the Whigs and was not nominated for a second term.) The question of the [[Texas Annexation|annexation of Texas]], which was at the forefront during the Democratic Convention, once again dominated the campaign. Polk was a strong proponent of immediate annexation, while Clay seemed more equivocal and vacillating.   


Another campaign issue, also relating to westward expansion, involved the [[Oregon Country]], then under the joint occupation of the United States and [[Great Britain]]. The Democrats had championed the cause of expansion, informally linking the controversial Texas annexation issue with a claim to the entire Oregon Country, thus appealing to both Northern and Southern expansionists. (The slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight", often incorrectly attributed to the 1844 election, did not appear until later; see [[Oregon boundary dispute]].) Polk's consistent support for westward expansion&mdash;what Democrats would later call "[[Manifest Destiny]]"&mdash;likely played an important role in his victory, as opponent Henry Clay hedged his position.
Another campaign issue, also relating to westward expansion, involved the [[Oregon Country]], then under the joint occupation of the United States and [[Great Britain]]. The Democrats had championed the cause of expansion, informally linking the controversial Texas annexation issue with a claim to the entire Oregon Country, thus appealing to both Northern and Southern expansionists. (The slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight", often incorrectly attributed to the 1844 election, did not appear until later.) Polk's consistent support for westward expansion&mdash;what Democrats would later call "[[Manifest Destiny]]"&mdash;likely played an important role in his victory, as it united all the Democratic factions.  


In the election, Polk won in the [[United States South|South]] and [[United States West|West]], while Clay drew support in the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast]]. Polk lost his home state of Tennessee as well as North Carolina, his alma mater.  However, Polk won the crucial state of New York (with the support of many Van Buren supporters, since it was his home state), where Clay lost supporters to the third-party candidate [[James G. Birney]] of the Liberty Party, who was anti-slavery. Also contributing to Polk's victory was the support of new immigrant voters, who were angered at the Whigs' policies. Polk won the popular vote by a margin of about 38,000 out of 2.6 million, and took the Electoral College with 170 votes to Clay's 105. Polk won 15 states, while Clay won 11.
In the election, Polk won in the South and West, while Clay drew support in the Northeast. Polk lost his home state of Tennessee but won the crucial state of New York (with the support of many Van Buren supporters, since it was his home state), where Clay lost supporters to the third-party candidate [[James G. Birney]] of the Liberty Party, who was anti-slavery. Also contributing to Polk's victory was the support of new immigrant voters, mostly Irish and German Catholic, who were angered at the Whigs' nativism. Polk won the popular vote by a margin of about 38,000 out of 2.6 million, and took the Electoral College with 170 votes to Clay's 105. Polk won 15 states, while Clay won 11.


Polk is still the only Speaker of the House of Representatives ever to be elected President of the United States.
Polk is still the only Speaker of the House of Representatives ever to be elected President of the United States.


==Presidency==
==Presidency==
When he took office on [[March 4]], [[1845]], Polk, at 49, became the youngest man to assume the presidency. According to a story told decades later by [[George Bancroft]], Polk set four clearly defined goals for his administration: the re-establishment of the [[Independent Treasury System]], the reduction of [[Tariff in American history|tariff]]s, acquisition of some or all the [[Oregon boundary dispute]], and the purchase of [[California]] from Mexico. Resolved to serve only one term, he accomplished all these objectives in just four years.  By linking new lands in Oregon (with no slavery) and Texas (with slavery) he hoped to satisfy both North and South.  
When he took office on March 4, 1845, Polk, at 49, became the youngest man to assume the presidency. According to a story told decades later by [[George Bancroft]], Polk set four clearly defined goals for his administration: the re-establishment of the [[Independent Treasury System]], the reduction of [[Tariff in American history|tariff]]s, acquisition of some or all the [[Oregon boundary dispute]], and the purchase of [[California (U.S. state)]] from Mexico. Resolved to serve only one term, he accomplished all these objectives in just four years.  By linking new lands in Oregon (with no slavery) and Texas (with slavery) he hoped to satisfy both North and South.  


===Fiscal policy===
===Fiscal policy===
In 1846, Congress approved the [[Walker tariff|Walker Tariff]] (named after [[Robert J. Walker]], the [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]]), which represented a substantial reduction of the high Whig-backed [[Tariff of 1842]]. The new law abandoned ''[[ad valorem]]'' tariffs; instead, rates were made independent of the monetary value of the product. Polk's actions were popular in the South and West; however, they earned him the contempt of many [[protectionism|protectionists]] in [[Pennsylvania]].  
In 1846, Congress approved the [[Walker tariff|Walker Tariff]] (named after [[Robert J. Walker]], his Secretary of the Treasury), which represented a substantial reduction of the high Whig-backed [[Tariff of 1842]]. The new law abandoned ''[[ad valorem]]'' tariffs; instead, rates were made independent of the monetary value of the product. Polk's actions were popular in the South and West; however, they earned him the contempt of many protectionists in Pennsylvania.  


In 1846, Polk approved a law restoring the [[Independent Treasury System]], under which government funds were held in the Treasury rather than in banks or other financial institutions. This established independent treasury deposit offices, separate from private or state banks, to receive all government funds.
In 1846, Polk approved a law restoring the [[Independent Treasury System]], under which government funds were held in the Treasury rather than in banks or other financial institutions. This established independent treasury deposit offices, separate from private or state banks, to receive all government funds.


===Slavery===
===Slavery===
Polk's views on slavery made his presidency bitterly controversial between proponents of slavery, opponents of slavery, and advocates of compromise, and the effect of his own career as a plantation slaveholder on his policymaking has been argued. During his presidency, many abolitionists harshly criticized him as an instrument of the "[[Slave Power]]," and claimed that the expansion of slavery lay behind his support for [[Texas Annexation|the annexation of Texas]] and later [[Mexican-American War|war with Mexico]]. Polk stated in his diary that he believed slavery could not exist in the territories won from Mexico, but refused to endorse the [[Wilmot Proviso]] that would forbid it there. Polk argued instead for extending the [[Missouri Compromise]] line to the Pacific Ocean, which would prohibit the expansion of slavery above 36° 30' west of [[Missouri]], but allow it below that line if approved by eligible voters in the territory.
Polk's views on slavery made his presidency bitterly controversial between proponents of slavery, opponents of slavery, and advocates of compromise, and the effect of his own career as a plantation slaveholder on his policymaking has been argued. During his presidency, many abolitionists harshly criticized him as an instrument of the "[[Slave Power]]," and claimed that the expansion of slavery lay behind his support for the annexation of Texas and later war with Mexico. Polk stated in his diary that he believed slavery could not exist in the territories won from Mexico, but refused to endorse the [[Wilmot Proviso]] that would forbid it there. Polk argued instead for extending the [[Missouri Compromise]] line to the Pacific Ocean, which would prohibit the expansion of slavery above 36° 30' west of Missouri, but allow it below that line if approved by eligible voters in the territory.


===Foreign policy===
===Foreign policy===
Polk was committed to expansion&mdash;Democrats believed that opening up more farms for yeoman farmers was critical for the success of republican virtue. (See [[Manifest Destiny]].) To balance the interests of North and South he sought the Oregon territory (comprised of present-day [[Oregon]], [[Washington]], [[Idaho]], and [[British Columbia]]), as well as Texas. He sought to purchase California, which Mexico had neglected.
Polk was committed to expansion&mdash;Democrats believed that opening up more farms for yeoman farmers was critical for the success of republican virtue. (See [[Manifest Destiny]].) To balance the interests of North and South he sought the Oregon territory (comprised of present-day Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia), as well as Texas. He sought to purchase California, which Mexico had neglected.
====Texas====
====Texas====
{{main|Texas Annexation}}
President Tyler interpreted Polk's victory as a mandate for the annexation of Texas. Acting quickly because he feared British designs on Texas, Tyler urged Congress to pass a joint resolution admitting Texas to the Union as a state. Congress complied on February 28, 1845. Texas promptly accepted the offer and officially became a state on December 29, 1845.  The annexation angered Mexico, however, which had succumbed to heavy British pressure and had offered Texas its semi-independence on the condition that it should not attach itself to any other nation. Mexican politicians had repeatedly warned that annexation meant war.
President Tyler had interpreted Polk's victory as a mandate for the annexation of [[Republic of Texas|Texas]]. Acting quickly because he feared British designs on Texas, Tyler urged Congress to pass a [[joint resolution]] admitting Texas to the [[United States|Union]]; Congress complied on [[February 28]], [[1845]]. Texas promptly accepted the offer and officially became a state on [[December 29]], [[1845]].  The annexation angered Mexico, however, which had succumbed to heavy British pressure and had offered Texas its semi-independence on the condition that it should not attach itself to any other nation. Mexican politicians had repeatedly warned that annexation meant war.


====Oregon territory====
====Oregon territory====
{{main|Oregon boundary dispute}}
Polk put heavy pressure on Britain to resolve the Oregon boundary dispute. Since 1818, the territory had been under the joint occupation and control of Great Britain and the United States. Previous U.S. administrations had offered to divide the region along the 49th parallel, which was not acceptable to the British, who had commercial interests along the [[Columbia River]]. Although the Democratic platform had asserted a claim to the entire region, Polk was prepared to quietly compromise. When the British again refused to accept the 49th parallel boundary proposal, Polk broke off negotiations and returned to the "All Oregon" position of the Democratic platform, which escalated tensions along the border.  
[[Image:Wpdms oregon territory 1848.png|frame|The [[Oregon Territory]], established by the [[Oregon Treaty]].]]


Polk put heavy pressure on Britain to resolve the [[Oregon boundary dispute]]. Since 1818, the territory had been under the joint occupation and control of Great Britain and the United States. Previous U.S. administrations had offered to divide the region along the [[49th parallel north|49th parallel]], which was not acceptable to the British, who had commercial interests along the [[Columbia River]]. Although the Democratic platform had asserted a claim to the entire region, Polk was prepared to quietly compromise. When the British again refused to accept the 49th parallel boundary proposal, Polk broke off negotiations and returned to the "All Oregon" position of the Democratic platform, which escalated tensions along the border.
Expansionists after the 1844 election shouted "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!" This slogan, often associated with Polk, was in fact the position of his rivals in the Democratic Party, who wanted Polk to be as uncompromising in acquiring the Oregon territory as he had been in annexing Texas. Polk wanted territory, not war, and compromised with the British Foreign Secretary, Lord Aberdeen. The [[Oregon Treaty]] of 1846 divided the Oregon Country along the 49th parallel, the original American proposal. Although there were many who still clamored for the whole of the territory, the treaty was approved by the Senate. By doing this, Polk angered many Midwestern Democrats by settling for the 49th parallel. Many of these Midwestern Democrats believed that Polk had always wanted the boundary at the 49th, and that he had fooled them into believing he wanted it at the 54th parallel. The portion of Oregon territory acquired by the United States would later form the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and parts of Montana and Wyoming.
 
Expansionists after the 1844 election shouted "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!" This slogan, often associated with Polk, was in fact the position of his rivals in the Democratic Party, who wanted Polk to be as uncompromising in acquiring the Oregon territory as he had been in annexing Texas. Polk wanted territory, not war, and compromised with the British Foreign Secretary, [[George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen|Lord Aberdeen]]. The [[Oregon Treaty]] of 1846 divided the Oregon Country along the 49th parallel, the original American proposal. Although there were many who still clamored for the whole of the territory, the treaty was approved by the Senate. By doing this, Polk angered many midwestern Democrats by settling for the 49th parallel. Many of these midwestern Democrats believed that Polk had always wanted the boundry at the 49th, and that he had fooled them into believing he wanted it at the 54th parallel. The portion of Oregon territory acquired by the United States would later form the states of Washington, Oregon, and [[Idaho]], and parts of the states of [[Montana]] and [[Wyoming]].


====War with Mexico====
====War with Mexico====
{{Main|Mexican-American War}}
{{Main|Mexican-American War}}
After the Texas annexation, Polk turned his attention to California, hoping to acquire the territory from Mexico before any European nation did so. The main interest was [[San Francisco Bay]] as an access point for trade with Asia. In 1845, he sent diplomat [[John Slidell]] to Mexico to purchase California and [[New Mexico]] for $20-30 millon [[US dollar]]s. Slidell's arrival caused political turmoil in Mexico after word leaked out that he was there to purchase additional territory and not to offer compensation for the loss of Texas. The Mexicans refused to receive Slidell, citing a technical problem with his credentials. In January 1846 to increase pressure on Mexico to negotiate, Polk sent troops under General [[Zachary Taylor]] into the area between the [[Nueces River]] and the [[Rio Grande]]&mdash;territory that was claimed by both the U.S. and Mexico.
After the Texas annexation, Polk turned his attention to California, hoping to acquire the territory from Mexico before any European nation did so. The main interest was San Francisco Bay as an access point for trade with Asia. In 1845, he sent diplomat [[John Slidell]] to Mexico to purchase California and [[New Mexico (U.S. state)|New Mexico]] for $20-30 million dollars. Slidell's arrival caused political turmoil in Mexico after word leaked out that he was there to purchase additional territory and not to offer compensation for the loss of Texas. The Mexicans refused to receive Slidell, citing a technical problem with his credentials. In January 1846 to increase pressure on Mexico to negotiate, Polk sent troops under General [[Zachary Taylor]] into the area between the [[Nueces River]] and the [[Rio Grande]]&mdash;territory that was claimed by both the U.S. and Mexico.


Slidell returned to Washington in May 1846, having been rebuffed by the Mexican government. Polk regarded this treatment of his diplomat as an insult and an "ample cause of war",<ref> Haynes p. 129 </ref> and he prepared to ask Congress for a declaration of war.  Coincidentally, mere days before Polk intended to make his request to Congress, he received word that Mexican forces had crossed the Rio Grande area and killed eleven American troops. Polk then made this the ''[[casus belli]]'', and in a message to Congress on [[May 11]], [[1846]], he stated that Mexico had "invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil." He did not point out that the territory in question was disputed and did not unequivocally belong to the United States. Several congressmen, including a young [[Abraham Lincoln]], expressed doubts about Polk's version of events,<ref><!-- Interesting fact, but not part of the "flow" of the article -->Lincoln challenged the factual claims made by President Polk about the boundary, claiming it was indeterminant and should not have been a cause of war. [http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llcg&fileName=020/llcg020.db&recNum=102 Congressional Globe, 30th Session (1848) pp.93-95]</ref>  
Slidell returned to Washington in May 1846, having been rebuffed by the Mexican government. Polk regarded this treatment of his diplomat as an insult and an "ample cause of war",<ref> Haynes p. 129 </ref> and he prepared to ask Congress for a declaration of war.  Coincidentally, mere days before Polk intended to make his request to Congress, he received word that Mexican forces had crossed the Rio Grande area and killed eleven American troops. Polk then made this the ''casus belli'', and in a message to Congress on May 11, 1846, he stated that Mexico had "invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil." He did not point out that the territory in question was disputed and did not unequivocally belong to the United States. Whig Congressman [[Abraham Lincoln]], expressed doubts about Polk's version of events, challenging the factual claims made by President Polk about the boundary, claiming it was indeterminate and should not have been a cause of war.<ref> see  [http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llcg&fileName=020/llcg020.db&recNum=102 ''Congressional Globe'', 30th Session (1848) pp.93-95]</ref>  
but Congress overwhelmingly approved the declaration of war, many Whigs fearing that opposition would cost them politically by casting themselves as unpatriotic for not supporting the war effort.<ref>In January 1848, the Whigs won a House vote attacking Polk in an amendment to a resolution praising Major General Taylor for his service in a "war unnecessarily and unconstitutionally begun by the President of the United States". http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/hlaw:@field(DOCID+@lit(hj04321)) House Journal, 30th Session (1848) pp.183-184] The resolution, however, died in committee.</ref>
but Congress overwhelmingly approved the declaration of war, many Whigs fearing that opposition would cost them politically by casting themselves as unpatriotic for not supporting the war effort.<ref>In January 1848, the Whigs won a House procedural vote attacking Polk in an amendment to a resolution praising Major General Taylor for his service in a "war unnecessarily and unconstitutionally begun by the President of the United States". See [http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?hlaw:1:./temp/~ammem_UWhq::@@@mdb=mcc,gottscho,detr,nfor,wpa,aap,cwar,bbpix,cowellbib,calbkbib,consrvbib,bdsbib,dag,fsaall,gmd,pan,vv,presp,varstg,suffrg,nawbib,horyd,wtc,toddbib,mgw,ncr,ngp,musdibib,hlaw,papr,lhbumbib,rbpebib,lbcoll,alad,hh,aaodyssey,magbell,bbcards,dcm,raelbib,runyon,dukesm,lomaxbib,mtj,gottlieb,aep,qlt,coolbib,fpnas,aasm,scsm,denn,relpet,amss,aaeo,mffbib,afc911bib,mjm,mnwp,rbcmillerbib,molden,ww2map,mfdipbib,afcnyebib,klpmap,hawp,omhbib,rbaapcbib,mal,ncpsbib,ncpm,lhbprbib,ftvbib,afcreed,aipn,cwband,flwpabib,wpapos,cmns,psbib,pin,coplandbib,cola,tccc,curt,mharendt,lhbcbbib,eaa,haybib,mesnbib,fine,cwnyhs,svybib,mmorse,afcwwgbib,mymhiwebib,uncall,afcwip,mtaft,manz,llstbib,fawbib,berl,fmuever,cdn,upboverbib,mussm,cic,afcpearl,awh,awhbib,sgp,wright,lhbtnbib,afcesnbib,hurstonbib,mreynoldsbib,spaldingbib,sgproto  ''House Journal,'' 30th Session (1848) pp.183-184] The resolution, however, died in committee.</ref> In the House, anti-slavery Whigs led by [[John Quincy Adams]] voted against the war; among Democrats, Senator [[John C. Calhoun]] was the most notable opponent of the war, because it implied the annexation of the Mexican people, who could not easily be assimilated.
In the House, anti-slavery Whigs led by [[John Quincy Adams]] voted against the war; among Democrats, Senator [[John C. Calhoun]] was the most notable opponent of the declaration.
 
[[Image:Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.png|frame|right|The [[Mexican Cession]] (in red), acquired through the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]]. The [[Gadsden Purchase]] (in yellow) acquired through purchase.]]


By the summer of 1846, American forces under General [[Stephen W. Kearny]] had captured New Mexico. Meanwhile, Army captain [[John C. Frémont]] led settlers in northern California to overthrow the Mexican garrison in Sonoma. General Zachary Taylor, at the same time, was having success on the Rio Grande, although Polk did not reinforce his troops there. The United States also negotiated a secret arrangement with [[Antonio López de Santa Anna]], the Mexican general and dictator who had been overthrown in 1844. Santa Anna agreed that, if given safe passage into Mexico, he would attempt to persuade those in power to sell California and New Mexico to the United States. Once he reached Mexico, however, he reneged on his agreement, declared himself President, and tried to drive the American invaders back. Santa Anna's efforts, however, were in vain, as generals Zachary Taylor and [[Winfield Scott]] destroyed all resistance. Scott captured Mexico City in September of 1847, and Taylor won a series of victories in Northern Mexico. Even after these battles, Mexico did not surrender until 1848, when they agreed to peace terms set out by Polk.
By the summer of 1846, American forces under General [[Stephen W. Kearny]] had captured New Mexico. Meanwhile, Army captain [[John C. Frémont]] led settlers in northern California to overthrow the Mexican garrison in Sonoma. General Zachary Taylor, at the same time, was having success on the Rio Grande, although Polk did not reinforce his troops there. The United States also negotiated a secret arrangement with [[Antonio López de Santa Anna]], the Mexican general and dictator who had been overthrown in 1844. Santa Anna agreed that, if given safe passage into Mexico, he would attempt to persuade those in power to sell California and New Mexico to the United States. Once he reached Mexico, however, he reneged on his agreement, declared himself President, and tried to drive the American invaders back. Santa Anna's efforts, however, were in vain, as generals Zachary Taylor and [[Winfield Scott]] destroyed all resistance. Scott captured Mexico City in September of 1847, and Taylor won a series of victories in Northern Mexico. Even after these battles, Mexico did not surrender until 1848, when they agreed to peace terms set out by Polk.


Polk sent diplomat [[Nicholas Trist]] to negotiate with the Mexicans. Lack of progress prompted the President to order Trist to return to the United States, but the diplomat ignored the instructions and stayed in Mexico to continue bargaining. Trist successfully negotiated the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] in 1848, which Polk agreed to ratify, ignoring calls from Democrats who demanded the annexation of the whole of Mexico. The treaty added 1.2 million square miles (3.1  million square kilometers) of territory to the United States; Mexico's size was halved, whilst that of the United States increased by a third. California, [[New Mexico]], [[Arizona]], [[Nevada]], [[Utah]], and parts of [[Colorado]] and Wyoming were all included in the Mexican Cession. The treaty also recognized the annexation of Texas and acknowledged American control over the disputed territory between the [[Nueces River]] and the Rio Grande. Mexico, in turn, received the sum of $15 million. The war claimed less than 20,000 American casualties but over 50,000 Mexican casualties. It had cost the United States nearly $100 million. Finally, the [[Wilmot Proviso]] injected the issue of slavery in the new territories, even though Polk had insisted to other congressmen and in his diary that this had never been a war goal.  
Polk sent diplomat [[Nicholas Trist]] to negotiate with the Mexicans. Lack of progress prompted the President to order Trist to return to the United States, but the diplomat ignored the instructions and stayed in Mexico to continue bargaining. Trist successfully negotiated the [[Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo]] in 1848, which Polk agreed to ratify, ignoring calls from Democrats who demanded the annexation of the whole of Mexico. The treaty added 1.2 million square miles (3.1  million square kilometers) of territory to the United States; Mexico's size was halved, whilst that of the United States increased by a third. California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming were all included in the Mexican Cession. The treaty also recognized the annexation of Texas and acknowledged American control over the disputed territory between the [[Nueces River]] and the Rio Grande. Mexico, in turn, received the sum of $15 million. The war claimed less than 20,000 American casualties but over 50,000 Mexican casualties. It had cost the United States nearly $100 million. Finally, the [[Wilmot Proviso]] injected the issue of slavery in the new territories, even though Polk had insisted to other congressmen and in his diary that this had never been a war goal.  


The treaty, however, needed ratification by the Senate. In March 1848, the Whigs, who had been so opposed to Polk's policy, suddenly changed position. Two-thirds of the Whigs voted for Polk's treaty.  This ended the war and legalized the acquisition of the territories. Later in 1848, the Whigs nominated [[Zachary Taylor]], the hero of the war, for president. Taylor said there would be no future wars, but he refused to criticize Polk, who kept his promise not to run for reelection.
The treaty, however, needed ratification by the Senate. In March 1848, the Whigs, who had been so opposed to Polk's policy, suddenly changed position. Two-thirds of the Whigs voted for Polk's treaty.  This ended the war and legalized the acquisition of the territories. Later in 1848, the Whigs nominated [[Zachary Taylor]], the hero of the war, for president. Taylor said there would be no future wars, but he refused to criticize Polk, who kept his promise not to run for reelection.
Line 117: Line 88:


====Cuba====
====Cuba====
In the summer of 1848, President Polk authorized his ambassador to Spain, [[Romulus Mitchell Saunders]], to negotiate the purchase of [[Cuba]] and offer Spain up to $100 million, an astounding sum of money at the time for one territory. (For comparison, the President's salary was only $5,000 a year in 1848; today, it is $400,000.) Cuba was close to the United States and had slavery, so the idea appealed to Southerners but was unwelcome in the North.  The Spanish government rejected Saunders' overtures.
In the summer of 1848, Polk authorized his ambassador to Spain to negotiate the purchase of Cuba and offer Spain up to $100 million, an astounding sum of money at the time for one territory.  Cuba was close to the United States and had slavery, so the idea appealed to Southerners but was unwelcome in the North.  The Spanish government rejected Polk's overtures.
 
===Administration and Cabinet===
[[Image:Jp11.gif|thumb|right|Official [[White House]] portrait of James K. Polk]]
<div align="left">
{| cellpadding="1" cellspacing="5" style="margin:3px; border:3px solid #000000;"
!OFFICE
!NAME
!TERM
|-
!bgcolor="#000000" colspan=3 |
|-
|[[President of the United States|President]]||'''James K. Polk'''||1845&ndash;1849
|-
|[[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]]||'''[[George M. Dallas]]'''||1845&ndash;1849
|-
!bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3"|
|-
|[[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]]||'''[[James Buchanan]]'''||1845&ndash;1849
|-
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
|-
|[[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]]||'''[[Robert J. Walker]]'''||1845&ndash;1849
|-
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
|-
|[[United States Secretary of War|Secretary of War]]||'''[[William L. Marcy]]'''||1845&ndash;1849
|-
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
|-
|rowspan=3 valign=top |[[Attorney General of the United States|Attorney General]]||'''[[John Y. Mason]]'''||1845&ndash;1846
|-
| '''[[Nathan Clifford]]'''||1846&ndash;1848
|-
| '''[[Isaac Toucey]]'''||1848&ndash;1849
|-
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
|-
|[[Postmaster General of the United States|Postmaster General]]||'''[[Cave Johnson]]'''||1845&ndash;1849
|-
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
|-
| rowspan=2 valign=top | [[United States Secretary of the Navy|Secretary of the Navy]]||'''[[George Bancroft]]'''||1845&ndash;1846
|-
| '''[[John Y. Mason]]'''||1846&ndash;1849
|}
</div>
 
===Supreme Court appointments===
Polk appointed the following Justices to the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]]:
 
*'''[[Levi Woodbury]]''' &ndash; [[1845]]
*'''[[Robert Cooper Grier]]''' &ndash; [[1846]]
 
===Congress===
====[[29th Congress]] ([[March 4]], [[1845]]–[[March 4]], [[1847]])====
* [[U.S. Senate|Senate]]: 31 Democrats, 31 Whigs, 1 Other
* [[U.S. House of Representatives|House]]: 143 Democrats, 77 Whigs, 6 Others
 
====[[30th Congress]]''' ([[March 4]], [[1847]]–[[March 4]], [[1849]])====
* [[U.S. Senate|Senate]]: 36 Democrats, 21 Whigs, 1 Other
* [[U.S. House of Representatives|House]]: 115 Whigs, 108 Democrats, 4 Others


===States admitted to the Union===
*'''[[Texas]]''' &ndash; [[December 29]], [[1845]]
*'''[[Iowa]]''' &ndash; [[December 28]], [[1846]]
*'''[[Wisconsin]]''' &ndash; [[May 29]], [[1848]]


==Post-presidency==
==Post-presidency==
[[Image:James K Polk Tomb.jpg|thumb|150px|right|James K. Polk's tomb lies on the grounds of the state capitol in Nashville, Tennessee.]]
Polk's time in the White House took its toll on his health. Full of enthusiasm and vigor when he entered office, Polk left exhausted by his years of public service. He lost weight and had deep lines on his face and dark circles under his eyes. He apparently contracted cholera in New Orleans, on a goodwill tour of the South. He died at his new home, Polk Place, in Nashville. His widow Sarah lived at Polk Place for over forty years after his passing, a retirement longer than that of any other [[First Lady]] of the United States. She died on August 14, 1891.
Polk's time in the [[White House]] took its toll on his health. Full of enthusiasm and vigor when he entered office, Polk left on [[March 4]], [[1849]], exhausted by his years of public service. He lost weight and had deep lines on his face and dark circles under his eyes. He is believed to have contracted [[cholera]] in [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], on a goodwill tour of the South. He died at his new home, Polk Place, in [[Nashville]], Tennessee, at 3:15 p.m. on [[June 15]], [[1849]]. Polk's devotion to his wife is illustrated by his last words: "I love you, Sarah. For all eternity, I love you." She lived at Polk Place for over forty years after his passing, a retirement longer than that of any other [[First Lady]] of the United States. She died on [[August 14]], [[1891]].
==Further reading==
 
for a more detailed guide see [[James K. Polk/Bibliography]]
Polk had [[List of U.S. Presidents by time as former president|the shortest retirement]] of all Presidents at 103 days.  He was the youngest former president to die in retirement at the age of 53 and the youngest president to die a [[natural death]]. He and his wife are buried in a tomb on the grounds of the [[Tennessee State Capitol]] Building in Nashville, Tennessee.


==Polk in Pop-Culture==  
== Bibliography==
*[[They Might Be Giants]]' song "James K. Polk" chronicles his political career from the 1844 nomination to his retirement.
* Bergeron, Paul H. ''The Presidency of James K. Polk''. 1986. [http://www.amazon.com/Presidency-James-K-Polk-American/dp/0700603190/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195824762&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]
*In [[The West Wing]] Episode 'The Fall's Gonna Kill You', C.J. Cregg mentions how James Polk couldn't digest nuts because he had [[diverticulitis]].
*  Borneman, Walter R.  ''Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America'' (2008), standard scholarly biography. ISBN: 978-1-4000-6560-8
*In the [[Seinfeld]] episode 'The Bizarro Jerry', Jerry is set up with a woman ("man hands") whose favorite president is listed as James Polk.
* Dusinberre, William. ''Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk''. 2003. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=103963137 online edition]
* Haynes, Sam W. ''James K. Polk and the Expansionist Impulse''.  (2001).  
* Leonard, Thomas M. ''James K. Polk: A Clear and Unquestionable Destiny''. (2000) [http://www.amazon.com/James-K-Polk-Unquestionable-Biographies/dp/0842026479/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195824867&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search].
* McCormac, Eugene Irving. ''James K. Polk: A Political Biography'' (1922) [http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=&mkt=en-us&scope=books&FORM=LIVSOP#q=rives%20mexico&filter=all&start=1&t=GEe1eQLgmds7Hkp6kwdKog&sq=rives%20mexico online edition]
*  Paul, James C. N. ''Rift in the Democracy.'' 1951. on 1844 election [http://www.questia.com/library/book/rift-in-the-democracy-by-james-c-n-paul.jsp online edition]
* Sellers, Charles. ''James K. Polk, Jacksonian, 1795-1843''. 1957 and ''James K. Polk, Continentalist, 1843-1846''. 1966. standard scholarly biography [http://www.historyebook.org/ vol 1 and 2 are online at ACLS e-books]
*Seigenthaler, John. ''James K. Polk: 1845–1849''. (2003). short popular biography
* Smith, Justin H. ''The War with Mexico'' 2 vol  (1919); Pulitzer Prize; 2:233-52; [http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=&mkt=en-us&scope=books&FORM=LIVSOP#q=Smith%2C%20Justin%20H.%20The%20War%20with%20Mexico%20&filter=all&start=1&t=Z_FmZjpeBxxaF_mVSZGsCw&sq=Smith%2C%20Justin%20H.%20The%20War%20with%20Mexico%20 online vol 1]; [http://books.google.com/books?id=0VNOyhWAyMAC&printsec=toc&dq=Smith,+Justin+Harvey.+The+War+with+Mexico&as_brr=1 online vol 2] Pulitzer Prize winner.


==Trivia==
*Polk is the only President to win the presidency while losing both his resident state and birth state.
*Polk is the only [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]] ever to be elected President.
*Polk was the first '[[dark horse]]' candidate to be elected President.
*Polk was the first president to have his inauguration reported by telegraph.
*While Polk was President, dancing, card-playing and alcoholic beverages were banned from the [[White House]]. This rule was also enforced during [[Rutherford B. Hayes]]' presidency.
*The first gaslight was turned on in the White House during Polk's administration on [[December 29]], [[1848]].
*Polk took the fewest vacations of any President serving at least a full term. He spent only 37 days away from his desk during his four years as president.
*Polk had the shortest life as a former President, dying on [[June 15]], [[1849]], three months (103 days) after his term ended ([[March 4]], [[1849]]).  He was also the first President or former President to die before his mother did.
*A week before he died, Polk was baptized a [[Methodist]].


==See also==
====Notes====
* [[U.S. presidential election, 1844]]
* [[List of places named for James K. Polk]]
 
== References ==
<references/>
<references/>
=== Article Reference Material ===
* Bergeron, Paul H. ''The Presidency of James K. Polk''. 1986. ISBN 0-7006-0319-0.
* Dusinberre, William. ''Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk''. 2003. ISBN 0-19-515735-4. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=103963137 online edition]
* Dusinberre, William. "President Polk and the Politics of Slavery." ''American Nineteenth Century History'' 3.1 (2002): 1-16. ISSN 1466-4658. Argues Polk misrepresented the strength of abolitionism, grossly exaggerated the likelihood of slaves' massacring white families, and seemed to condone secession.
* Eisenhower, John S. D. "The Election of James K. Polk, 1844." ''Tennessee Historical Quarterly''. 53.2 (1994): 74-87. ISSN 0040-3261.
* Haynes, Sam W. ''James K. Polk and the Expansionist Impulse''. 2001. ISBN 0-321-08798-4.
* Kornblith, Gary J. "Rethinking the Coming of the Civil War: a Counterfactual Exercise." ''Journal of American History'' 90.1 (2003): 76-105. ISSN 0021-8723. Asks what if Polk had not gone to war?
* Leonard, Thomas M. ''James K. Polk: A Clear and Unquestionable Destiny''. 2000. ISBN 0-8420-2647-9.
* McCormac, Eugene Irving. ''James K. Polk: A Political Biography to the End of a Career, 1845-1849''. 1995. ISBN 0-945707-10-X.
* McCoy, ''Charles A. Polk and the Presidency''. 1960.
* Morrison, Michael A. "Martin Van Buren, the Democracy, and the Partisan Politics of Texas Annexation." ''Journal of Southern History'' 61.4 (1995): 695-724. ISSN 0022-4642.  Discusses the election of 1844. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=54440370 online edition]
*  Paul; James C. N. ''Rift in the Democracy.'' 1951. on 1844 election
* Schouler, James. [http://books.google.com/books?vid=OCLC15799162&id=Ff2XRHSDkA4C&pg=PR14&dq=schouler+history ''Democrats and Whigs, 1831-1847'']. Vol. 4 of ''History of the United States of America: Under the Constitution''. 1917.
* Sellers, Charles. ''James K. Polk, Jacksonian, 1795-1843''. 1957.
* Sellers, Charles. ''James K. Polk, Continentalist, 1843-1846''. 1966.
*[[John Seigenthaler Sr.|Seigenthaler, John]]. ''James K. Polk: 1845–1849''. 2003. ISBN 0-8050-6942-9.
* Smith, Carter. ''Presidents, All You Need to Know: James K. Polk''. 2004.
===Primary sources===
* Polk, James K. ''The Diary of James K. Polk During His Presidency, 1845-1849'' edited by Milo Milton Quaife, 4 vols. 1910. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=3453762 Abridged version by Allan Nevins. 1929, online]
* Cutler, Wayne, et. al. ''Correspondence of James K. Polk''. 1972-2004. ISBN 1-57233-304-9. 10 vol. scholarly edition of the complete correspondence to and from Polk.


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{wikiquote}}
{{wikisource author}}
*[http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/index.php/academic/americanpresident/polk Extensive essay on James K. Polk and shorter essays on each member of his cabinet and First Lady from the Miller Center of Public Affairs]
*[http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/index.php/academic/americanpresident/polk Extensive essay on James K. Polk and shorter essays on each member of his cabinet and First Lady from the Miller Center of Public Affairs]
*[http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/presiden/inaug/polk.htm Inaugural Address of James K. Polk.]
*[http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/presiden/inaug/polk.htm Inaugural Address of James K. Polk.]
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*[http://www.usa-presidents.info/union/polk-4.html Fourth State of the Union Address (1848).]
*[http://www.usa-presidents.info/union/polk-4.html Fourth State of the Union Address (1848).]
*[http://www.familytales.org/tesults.php?tla=jkp James Polk journal entries 1846-1847 concerning the Mexican American War]
*[http://www.familytales.org/tesults.php?tla=jkp James Polk journal entries 1846-1847 concerning the Mexican American War]
*[http://www.potus.com/jkpolk.html POTUS - James Knox Polk]
* {{gutenberg author| id=James+K.+Polk | name=James K. Polk}}
* {{gutenberg author| id=James+K.+Polk | name=James K. Polk}}
* [http://fair-use.org/the-liberator/1849/06/22/the-death-of-president-polk Obituary of President Polk in ''The Liberator'' (June 22, 1849)]
* [http://fair-use.org/the-liberator/1849/06/22/the-death-of-president-polk Obituary of President Polk in abolitionist ''The Liberator'' (June 22, 1849)]
*[http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/borders/start.html Smithsonian's "Establishing Borders: The Expansion of the United States, 1846-48" with essay and lesson plans]  
*[http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/borders/start.html Smithsonian's "Establishing Borders: The Expansion of the United States, 1846-48" with essay and lesson plans]  
*Events That Changed America in the Nineteenth Century. Ed. John E. Findling and Frank W. Thackeray. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1977.
 


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| marker=<sup>(b)</sup>
| footnote=The [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] vice-presidential nominee split this year between Polk and [[Richard Mentor Johnson|Richard M. Johnson]] and [[Littleton Waller Tazewell|Littleton W. Tazewell]]}}
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[[Category:Presidents of the United States]]
[[Category:Democratic Party (United States) presidential nominees]]
[[Category:Speakers of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Governors of Tennessee]]
[[Category:History of the United States (1789–1849)]]
[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee]]
[[Category:American Methodists]]
[[Category:American slaveholders]]
[[Category:People from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Scots-Irish Americans]]
[[Category:Deaths from cholera]]
[[Category:1795 births]]
[[Category:1849 deaths]]
 
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James K. Polk

James Knox Polk (November 2, 1795–June 15, 1849) was the eleventh President of the United States of America, elected in 1844. Polk was governor of Tennessee and Speaker of the U.S. House. A Democrat, Polk was the surprise ("dark horse") candidate for president in 1844, defeating Whig Henry Clay by promising to annex Texas.

Polk is noted for his foreign policy successes. He threatened war with Britain then compromised and split the ownership of the Northwest with Britain. When Mexico called for war over the annexation of Texas, Polk responded aggressively, sending armies to protect Texas and conquer New Mexico and California, to invade northern Mexico, and finally to invade and capture Mexico City. When Mexico finally sued for peace he paid millions to acquire full title to New Mexico and California, but rejected suggestions to take over all of Mexico. He lowered the tariff and established a treasury system that lasted until 1913. He retired after one term and did not seek re-election. He died three months after his term ended.

As a Democrat committed to geographic expansion (or "Manifest Destiny") he overrode Whig objections and was responsible for the largest expansion of the nation's territory (exceeding even the Louisiana Purchase). He secured the Oregon Territory (including Washington, Oregon and Idaho), then purchased 1.2 million square miles through the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo that ended the Mexican-American War. The expansionism, however, opened a furious debate over slavery in the new territories that was resolved by the Compromise of 1850. He signed the Walker Tariff of 1846 that brought an era of near free trade to the country until 1861. He oversaw the opening of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Smithsonian, the groundbreaking for the Washington Monument, and the issuance of the first postage stamps in the U.S. He was the first President of the United States to be extensively photographed while in office.[1] Presidential scholars have ranked him 8th to 12th on the list of greatest presidents for his ability to set an agenda and achieve all of it.

Early life

Polk, the first of ten children, was born in what is now Pineville, North Carolina in Mecklenburg County in 1795. His father, Samuel Polk, was a slaveholder, farmer and surveyor of Scots-Irish descent, and related to Scottish nobility. His mother, Jane Polk (née Knox) was a descendant of the Scottish religious reformer John Knox. In 1806, the Polk family moved to Tennessee, settling near Duck River in what is now Maury County. The family grew prosperous, with Samuel Polk becoming one of the leading planters of the area. When James was 11, his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee.

During his childhood, James suffered from poor health. In 1812, his father took him to Kentucky, where the famous surgeon Dr. Ephraim McDowell conducted an operation to remove urinary stones. The operation may have left James sterile, as Polk never had children. For the rest of his life, Polk did enjoy comparatively better health.

Polk was home schooled; his formal education began at the age of 18, when he studied at Zion Church near his home. He later attended a school in Murfreesboro, where he met his future wife, Sarah Childress. After less than three years of attending the school, Polk left Tennessee to enroll in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While there, he practiced his oratorical skills as a member of the Dialectic Society. He graduated in 1818 and returned to Nashville, Tennessee to study law under Felix Grundy. Polk was admitted to the bar in 1820, and established his own practice in Columbia, Tennessee. He worked with Aaron V. Brown, future governor of Tennessee and postmaster general.

Career as slaveholder

Polk was a slaveholder for almost his entire adult life. His father Samuel left title to over 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) of land and about 53 slaves to his widow and his children. James inherited control over nine of his father's slaves, either directly or from deceased brothers. In 1831, he became an absentee cotton planter, sending slaves to clear plantation land that his father had left him near Somerville, Tennessee. Three years later he sold his Somerville plantation and, together with his brother-in-law, bought 920 acres (370 ha) of land, a cotton plantation near Coffeeville, Mississippi. He ran this plantation for the rest of his life, eventually taking it over completely from his brother-in-law. He infrequently bought more slaves and sold others, although once he became President and could better afford it, he bought more slaves. Polk's will stipulated that their slaves were to be manumitted after both he and his wife Sarah had died. However, the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and the 1865 Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution freed all remaining slaves in rebel states some more than twenty years before the death of his wife in 1891.

Political career

Polk was brought up as a Jeffersonian Democrat, for his father and grandfather were strong supporters of Thomas Jefferson. The first public office he held was that of chief clerk of the Senate of Tennessee (1821–1823); he resigned the position in order to run his successful campaign for the state legislature. Polk's oratory became popular, earning him the nickname "Napoleon of the Stump." He courted Sarah Childress, and they married on January 1, 1824.

Polk became a supporter of Andrew Jackson, then the leading politician of Tennessee. In 1824, Jackson ran for President, while Polk campaigned for the House of Representatives. Polk succeeded, but Jackson was defeated. Though Jackson had won the popular vote, neither he nor any of the other candidates (John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and William H. Crawford) had obtained a majority of the electoral vote, allowing the House of Representatives to select the victor. In his first speech, Polk expressed his belief that the House's decision to choose Adams was a violation of the will of the people; he even proposed (unsuccessfully) that the Electoral College be abolished.

In Congress, Polk was a firm supporter of Jacksonian Democracy; he opposed the Second Bank of the United States, favored gold and silver over paper money; distrusted banks; and preferred agricultural interests over industrial ones. This behavior earned him the nickname "Young Hickory," an allusion to Andrew Jackson's sobriquet, "Old Hickory." After Jackson defeated Adams in the presidential election of 1828, Polk rose in prominence, becoming the leader of the pro-Administration faction in Congress. As chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, he lent his support to the President to abolish the National Bank.

Speaker of the House

Polk became speaker in 1835. Jackson left office two years later, to be succeeded by fellow Democrat Martin Van Buren. Van Buren's term was a period of heated political rivalry between the Democrats and the Whigs, with the latter often subjecting Polk to insults, invectives, and challenges to duels.

Governor of Tennessee

In 1838, the political situation in Tennessee—where, in 1835, Democrats had lost the governorship for the first time in their party's history—convinced Polk to return to help the party at home. Leaving Congress in 1839, Polk became a candidate in the Tennessee gubernatorial election, defeating Whig incumbent Newton Cannon. Though he revitalized Democrats in Tennessee, his victory could not put a stop to the political decline of the Democratic Party elsewhere in the nation. In the presidential election of 1840, Van Buren was overwhelmingly defeated by a popular Whig, William Henry Harrison. Polk lost his own gubernatorial re-election bid to a Whig, James C. Jones, in 1841. He challenged Jones in 1843 but was defeated once again. Throughout all three of these campaigns, he focused on the policy differences on the economy between the Whigs and the Democrats. He attacked the Whig platform on economic policies during these campaigns. These three campaigns of attacking the Whigs largely helped him gain national spotlight within the Democratic Party, which helped him win the nomination for president in 1844.

Election of 1844

Polk initially hoped to be nominated for vice-president at the Democratic convention, in May 1844. The leading contender for the presidential nomination was former President Martin Van Buren, who wanted to stop the expansion of slavery. Other candidates included James Buchanan (a moderate) and General Lewis Cass (an expansionist). The primary point of political contention involved the annexation of the Republic of Texas, which, after winning independence from Mexico in 1836, sought to join the United States. Van Buren opposed the annexation but in doing so lost the support of many Democrats, including former President Andrew Jackson, who still had much influence.

1844 convention

Prior the convention, Jackson told Polk that he was his favorite for the nomination. Even with this support, Polk still instructed his managers at the convention to support Van Buren, but only if it was certain that Van Buren had a chance to win the nomination. This assured that if a deadlock convention occurred, initial supporters of Van Buren would pick Polk as a compromise candidate for the Democrats. In the end, this is exactly what happened as a result for Polk's support of westward expansion.

A Southern, anti-Van Buren faction, angered at Van Buren's opposition to Texas, took control of the convention on the first day by having one of its own elected as convention chairman. The faction controlled the proceedings sufficiently to keep Van Buren from winning the needed two-thirds vote on the first ballot. Polk entered the race on the sixth ballot and won the nomination on the seventh, when Van Buren supporters, strongly opposed to the nomination of front-runner Lewis Cass, stampeded to the dark horse Polk camp. Polk quickly moved to win the support of Van Buren, Cass, and other aspirants to the presidency by announcing his intention to serve only one term. He also sought to smooth over relations with Northern Democrats by assuring them he was not involved in the plot to reject Van Buren's nomination. With the assistance of party patriarch Andrew Jackson, he also succeeded in persuading incumbent John Tyler not to run for reelection. Polk managed to win a particularly vitriolic presidential race against Whig Henry Clay, despite losing his home state.

Because the Democratic Party was splintered into bitter factions, Polk promised to serve only one term if elected, hoping that his disappointed rival Democrats would unite behind him with the knowledge that another candidate would be chosen in four years.[2]

Polk's Whig opponent was Henry Clay of Kentucky. (Incumbent Whig President John Tyler—a former Democrat—had become estranged from the Whigs and was not nominated for a second term.) The question of the annexation of Texas dominated the campaign. Polk was a strong proponent of immediate annexation, while Clay seemed more equivocal and vacillating.

Another campaign issue, also relating to westward expansion, involved the Oregon Country, then under the joint occupation of the United States and Great Britain. The Democrats had championed the cause of expansion, informally linking the controversial Texas annexation issue with a claim to the entire Oregon Country, thus appealing to both Northern and Southern expansionists. (The slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight", often incorrectly attributed to the 1844 election, did not appear until later.) Polk's consistent support for westward expansion—what Democrats would later call "Manifest Destiny"—likely played an important role in his victory, as it united all the Democratic factions.

In the election, Polk won in the South and West, while Clay drew support in the Northeast. Polk lost his home state of Tennessee but won the crucial state of New York (with the support of many Van Buren supporters, since it was his home state), where Clay lost supporters to the third-party candidate James G. Birney of the Liberty Party, who was anti-slavery. Also contributing to Polk's victory was the support of new immigrant voters, mostly Irish and German Catholic, who were angered at the Whigs' nativism. Polk won the popular vote by a margin of about 38,000 out of 2.6 million, and took the Electoral College with 170 votes to Clay's 105. Polk won 15 states, while Clay won 11.

Polk is still the only Speaker of the House of Representatives ever to be elected President of the United States.

Presidency

When he took office on March 4, 1845, Polk, at 49, became the youngest man to assume the presidency. According to a story told decades later by George Bancroft, Polk set four clearly defined goals for his administration: the re-establishment of the Independent Treasury System, the reduction of tariffs, acquisition of some or all the Oregon boundary dispute, and the purchase of California (U.S. state) from Mexico. Resolved to serve only one term, he accomplished all these objectives in just four years. By linking new lands in Oregon (with no slavery) and Texas (with slavery) he hoped to satisfy both North and South.

Fiscal policy

In 1846, Congress approved the Walker Tariff (named after Robert J. Walker, his Secretary of the Treasury), which represented a substantial reduction of the high Whig-backed Tariff of 1842. The new law abandoned ad valorem tariffs; instead, rates were made independent of the monetary value of the product. Polk's actions were popular in the South and West; however, they earned him the contempt of many protectionists in Pennsylvania.

In 1846, Polk approved a law restoring the Independent Treasury System, under which government funds were held in the Treasury rather than in banks or other financial institutions. This established independent treasury deposit offices, separate from private or state banks, to receive all government funds.

Slavery

Polk's views on slavery made his presidency bitterly controversial between proponents of slavery, opponents of slavery, and advocates of compromise, and the effect of his own career as a plantation slaveholder on his policymaking has been argued. During his presidency, many abolitionists harshly criticized him as an instrument of the "Slave Power," and claimed that the expansion of slavery lay behind his support for the annexation of Texas and later war with Mexico. Polk stated in his diary that he believed slavery could not exist in the territories won from Mexico, but refused to endorse the Wilmot Proviso that would forbid it there. Polk argued instead for extending the Missouri Compromise line to the Pacific Ocean, which would prohibit the expansion of slavery above 36° 30' west of Missouri, but allow it below that line if approved by eligible voters in the territory.

Foreign policy

Polk was committed to expansion—Democrats believed that opening up more farms for yeoman farmers was critical for the success of republican virtue. (See Manifest Destiny.) To balance the interests of North and South he sought the Oregon territory (comprised of present-day Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia), as well as Texas. He sought to purchase California, which Mexico had neglected.

Texas

President Tyler interpreted Polk's victory as a mandate for the annexation of Texas. Acting quickly because he feared British designs on Texas, Tyler urged Congress to pass a joint resolution admitting Texas to the Union as a state. Congress complied on February 28, 1845. Texas promptly accepted the offer and officially became a state on December 29, 1845. The annexation angered Mexico, however, which had succumbed to heavy British pressure and had offered Texas its semi-independence on the condition that it should not attach itself to any other nation. Mexican politicians had repeatedly warned that annexation meant war.

Oregon territory

Polk put heavy pressure on Britain to resolve the Oregon boundary dispute. Since 1818, the territory had been under the joint occupation and control of Great Britain and the United States. Previous U.S. administrations had offered to divide the region along the 49th parallel, which was not acceptable to the British, who had commercial interests along the Columbia River. Although the Democratic platform had asserted a claim to the entire region, Polk was prepared to quietly compromise. When the British again refused to accept the 49th parallel boundary proposal, Polk broke off negotiations and returned to the "All Oregon" position of the Democratic platform, which escalated tensions along the border.

Expansionists after the 1844 election shouted "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!" This slogan, often associated with Polk, was in fact the position of his rivals in the Democratic Party, who wanted Polk to be as uncompromising in acquiring the Oregon territory as he had been in annexing Texas. Polk wanted territory, not war, and compromised with the British Foreign Secretary, Lord Aberdeen. The Oregon Treaty of 1846 divided the Oregon Country along the 49th parallel, the original American proposal. Although there were many who still clamored for the whole of the territory, the treaty was approved by the Senate. By doing this, Polk angered many Midwestern Democrats by settling for the 49th parallel. Many of these Midwestern Democrats believed that Polk had always wanted the boundary at the 49th, and that he had fooled them into believing he wanted it at the 54th parallel. The portion of Oregon territory acquired by the United States would later form the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and parts of Montana and Wyoming.

War with Mexico

For more information, see: Mexican-American War.

After the Texas annexation, Polk turned his attention to California, hoping to acquire the territory from Mexico before any European nation did so. The main interest was San Francisco Bay as an access point for trade with Asia. In 1845, he sent diplomat John Slidell to Mexico to purchase California and New Mexico for $20-30 million dollars. Slidell's arrival caused political turmoil in Mexico after word leaked out that he was there to purchase additional territory and not to offer compensation for the loss of Texas. The Mexicans refused to receive Slidell, citing a technical problem with his credentials. In January 1846 to increase pressure on Mexico to negotiate, Polk sent troops under General Zachary Taylor into the area between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande—territory that was claimed by both the U.S. and Mexico.

Slidell returned to Washington in May 1846, having been rebuffed by the Mexican government. Polk regarded this treatment of his diplomat as an insult and an "ample cause of war",[3] and he prepared to ask Congress for a declaration of war. Coincidentally, mere days before Polk intended to make his request to Congress, he received word that Mexican forces had crossed the Rio Grande area and killed eleven American troops. Polk then made this the casus belli, and in a message to Congress on May 11, 1846, he stated that Mexico had "invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil." He did not point out that the territory in question was disputed and did not unequivocally belong to the United States. Whig Congressman Abraham Lincoln, expressed doubts about Polk's version of events, challenging the factual claims made by President Polk about the boundary, claiming it was indeterminate and should not have been a cause of war.[4] but Congress overwhelmingly approved the declaration of war, many Whigs fearing that opposition would cost them politically by casting themselves as unpatriotic for not supporting the war effort.[5] In the House, anti-slavery Whigs led by John Quincy Adams voted against the war; among Democrats, Senator John C. Calhoun was the most notable opponent of the war, because it implied the annexation of the Mexican people, who could not easily be assimilated.

By the summer of 1846, American forces under General Stephen W. Kearny had captured New Mexico. Meanwhile, Army captain John C. Frémont led settlers in northern California to overthrow the Mexican garrison in Sonoma. General Zachary Taylor, at the same time, was having success on the Rio Grande, although Polk did not reinforce his troops there. The United States also negotiated a secret arrangement with Antonio López de Santa Anna, the Mexican general and dictator who had been overthrown in 1844. Santa Anna agreed that, if given safe passage into Mexico, he would attempt to persuade those in power to sell California and New Mexico to the United States. Once he reached Mexico, however, he reneged on his agreement, declared himself President, and tried to drive the American invaders back. Santa Anna's efforts, however, were in vain, as generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott destroyed all resistance. Scott captured Mexico City in September of 1847, and Taylor won a series of victories in Northern Mexico. Even after these battles, Mexico did not surrender until 1848, when they agreed to peace terms set out by Polk.

Polk sent diplomat Nicholas Trist to negotiate with the Mexicans. Lack of progress prompted the President to order Trist to return to the United States, but the diplomat ignored the instructions and stayed in Mexico to continue bargaining. Trist successfully negotiated the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo in 1848, which Polk agreed to ratify, ignoring calls from Democrats who demanded the annexation of the whole of Mexico. The treaty added 1.2 million square miles (3.1 million square kilometers) of territory to the United States; Mexico's size was halved, whilst that of the United States increased by a third. California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming were all included in the Mexican Cession. The treaty also recognized the annexation of Texas and acknowledged American control over the disputed territory between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande. Mexico, in turn, received the sum of $15 million. The war claimed less than 20,000 American casualties but over 50,000 Mexican casualties. It had cost the United States nearly $100 million. Finally, the Wilmot Proviso injected the issue of slavery in the new territories, even though Polk had insisted to other congressmen and in his diary that this had never been a war goal.

The treaty, however, needed ratification by the Senate. In March 1848, the Whigs, who had been so opposed to Polk's policy, suddenly changed position. Two-thirds of the Whigs voted for Polk's treaty. This ended the war and legalized the acquisition of the territories. Later in 1848, the Whigs nominated Zachary Taylor, the hero of the war, for president. Taylor said there would be no future wars, but he refused to criticize Polk, who kept his promise not to run for reelection.

The war had serious consequences for Polk and the Democrats. One was that the war had given the Whig Party a unifying message of denouncing the war as a whole (even though they did vote for the funding of it) as an immoral abuse of power by the President by taking land from Mexico. The second was that the war had taken a toll on Polk's health. As a result of Polk managing the war effort directly, and by paying attention to every detail very closely, his health markedly declined toward the end of his presidency.

Cuba

In the summer of 1848, Polk authorized his ambassador to Spain to negotiate the purchase of Cuba and offer Spain up to $100 million, an astounding sum of money at the time for one territory. Cuba was close to the United States and had slavery, so the idea appealed to Southerners but was unwelcome in the North. The Spanish government rejected Polk's overtures.


Post-presidency

Polk's time in the White House took its toll on his health. Full of enthusiasm and vigor when he entered office, Polk left exhausted by his years of public service. He lost weight and had deep lines on his face and dark circles under his eyes. He apparently contracted cholera in New Orleans, on a goodwill tour of the South. He died at his new home, Polk Place, in Nashville. His widow Sarah lived at Polk Place for over forty years after his passing, a retirement longer than that of any other First Lady of the United States. She died on August 14, 1891.

Further reading

for a more detailed guide see James K. Polk/Bibliography

Bibliography

  • Bergeron, Paul H. The Presidency of James K. Polk. 1986. excerpt and text search
  • Borneman, Walter R. Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America (2008), standard scholarly biography. ISBN: 978-1-4000-6560-8
  • Dusinberre, William. Slavemaster President: The Double Career of James Polk. 2003. online edition
  • Haynes, Sam W. James K. Polk and the Expansionist Impulse. (2001).
  • Leonard, Thomas M. James K. Polk: A Clear and Unquestionable Destiny. (2000) excerpt and text search.
  • McCormac, Eugene Irving. James K. Polk: A Political Biography (1922) online edition
  • Paul, James C. N. Rift in the Democracy. 1951. on 1844 election online edition
  • Sellers, Charles. James K. Polk, Jacksonian, 1795-1843. 1957 and James K. Polk, Continentalist, 1843-1846. 1966. standard scholarly biography vol 1 and 2 are online at ACLS e-books
  • Seigenthaler, John. James K. Polk: 1845–1849. (2003). short popular biography
  • Smith, Justin H. The War with Mexico 2 vol (1919); Pulitzer Prize; 2:233-52; online vol 1; online vol 2 Pulitzer Prize winner.


Notes

  1. The White House Historical Association, retrieved January 23, 2007
  2. Sam W. Haynes, James K. Polk and the Expansionist Impulse. 2001. p.61-2
  3. Haynes p. 129
  4. see Congressional Globe, 30th Session (1848) pp.93-95
  5. In January 1848, the Whigs won a House procedural vote attacking Polk in an amendment to a resolution praising Major General Taylor for his service in a "war unnecessarily and unconstitutionally begun by the President of the United States". See House Journal, 30th Session (1848) pp.183-184 The resolution, however, died in committee.

External links


preceded by
John Tyler
dates
1845-1849
succeeded by
Zachary Taylor