Changes

|term_start=March 4, 1845

|term_start=March 4, 1845

|term_end=March 4, 1849<ref>http://www.trivia-library.com/a/11th-us-president-james-k-polk.htm</ref>

|term_end=March 4, 1849<ref>http://www.trivia-library.com/a/11th-us-president-james-k-polk.htm</ref>

|party= Democratic

|party= Democrat

|vp=George M. Dallas

|vp=George M. Dallas

|previous=John Tyler

|previous=John Tyler

|religion=[[Methodist]]

|religion=[[Methodist]]

}}

}}

'''James Knox Polk''' (1795–1849) was the eleventh President of the United States, elected in 1844. Polk was governor of [[Tennessee]] and Speaker of the U.S. House. A [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Polk was the surprise ("dark horse") candidate for president in 1844, defeating Whig [[Henry Clay]] by promising to annex Texas.  He was a leader of [[Jacksonian Democracy]] during the [[Second Party System]].

'''James Knox Polk''' (1795–1849) was the eleventh President of the United States, elected in 1844. Polk was governor of [[Tennessee]] and Speaker of the U.S. House. A [[Democrat Party|Democrat]], Polk was the surprise ("dark horse") candidate for president in 1844, defeating Whig [[Henry Clay]] by promising to annex Texas.  He was a leader of [[Jacksonian Democracy]] during the [[Second Party System]].

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 [[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.  

===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 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.

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 Democrat 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 Democrat Party, which helped him win the nomination for president in 1844.

==Election of 1844==

==Election of 1844==

[[Image:Polk1844.jpg|thumb|200px|Democrats who rallied for Polk in the 1844 election marched behind these cloth banners.]]

[[Image:Polk1844.jpg|thumb|200px|Democrats who rallied for Polk in the 1844 election marched behind these cloth banners.]]

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.  

Polk initially hoped to be nominated for vice-president at the Democrat 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===

===1844 convention===

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.

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.<ref>Sam W. Haynes, ''James K. Polk and the Expansionist Impulse''. 2001. p.61-2</ref>

Because the Democrat 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>

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 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.   

[[Image:Polk4.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Polk's policies were successful, despite a Whig cartoonist expecting them to collapse like a house of cards.]]

[[Image:Polk4.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Polk's policies were successful, despite a Whig cartoonist expecting them to collapse like a house of cards.]]

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]] 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 at the time. 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]] 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===

====Oregon territory====

====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.  

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 Democrat 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 Democrat 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====

====War with Mexico====