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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.

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 [[Guadalupe-Hidalgo, Treaty of|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 [[United States 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.  

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 [[United States 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==