Changes

The Democrats officially won back the presidency with James Polk, who was supported by the still-popular Jackson.  Polk was the hardest-working president ever, and even died from exhaustion soon after leaving office after serving only one term.  He was also the first "dark horse" candidate, which means that no one expected him even to win the nomination of his Democratic Party.  He was nominated to run for president only after the leading contenders were all rejected by the delegates to the national convention for the Democratic Party.  In fact, Polk had gone to the convention hoping at most to be the vice presidential candidate for Martin Van Buren, but the the Democratic Party rejected nominating Van Buren again for president.

The Democrats officially won back the presidency with James Polk, who was supported by the still-popular Jackson.  Polk was the hardest-working president ever, and even died from exhaustion soon after leaving office after serving only one term.  He was also the first "dark horse" candidate, which means that no one expected him even to win the nomination of his Democratic Party.  He was nominated to run for president only after the leading contenders were all rejected by the delegates to the national convention for the Democratic Party.  In fact, Polk had gone to the convention hoping at most to be the vice presidential candidate for Martin Van Buren, but the the Democratic Party rejected nominating Van Buren again for president.

Polk's opponent in the presidential race was the Whig Party leader Henry Clay, who scoff at how little known Polk was.  Clay and his supporters began to ask rhetorically, "Who is Polk?"<ref>http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/presidents/polk/horse_1</ref>  Polk responded to the criticism by championing Manifest Destiny (and expansion of the nation's territory).  He supported annexing Texas (which would be a slave state) to acquire southern support and supporting adding Oregon as a free state to gain northern votes.  The issue of Texas had become so important to Americans, that Polk won on a platform of annexing Texas to the United States.  Polk won based on his pro-expansion position.  Only nine months after his inauguration, Texas became part of the Union.

Polk's opponent in the presidential race was the Whig Party leader Henry Clay, who scoffed at how little-known Polk was.  Clay and his supporters began to ask rhetorically, "Who is Polk?"<ref>http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/presidents/polk/horse_1</ref>  Polk responded to the criticism by championing Manifest Destiny (and expansion of the nation's territory).  He supported annexing Texas (which would be a slave state) to acquire southern support and supporting adding Oregon as a free state to gain northern votes.  The issue of Texas had become so important to Americans, that Polk won on a platform of annexing Texas to the United States.  Polk won based on his pro-expansion position.   

<>Polk, a Democrat supported by the South, wanted more southern territory.  In the Slidell Mission, Polk sent an attorney to Mexico to negotiate the border with Texas.  He also hoped to buy New Mexico and California.  But the Mission failed.

To Polk's credit, he immediately did what he said he would.  In the Slidell Mission, Polk sent an attorney to Mexico to negotiate the border with Texas.  He also hoped to buy New Mexico and California.  That Mission failed, so Polk tried a different approach.

So Polk initiated (debated) a way to ignite a war with Mexico by sending Zachary Taylor down with some soldiers to stand close to the border of Mexico in 1846.  He encouraged settlers to move closer and closer to the border.   

This is where an historical controversy begins.  Many say that Polk tried to provoke a war with Mexico by sending Zachary Taylor down with some soldiers to stand close to the border of Mexico in 1846.  He encouraged settlers to move closer and closer to the border.  Eventually, the inevitable conflict and bloodshed occurred, but it is unclear whether it happened on American or Mexican soil, which makes a huge difference in determining which side was right, and which side was wrong.  Polk said it happened on American soil;  Abraham Lincoln, then a congressman, disagreed and thought it happened on Mexican soil.

The Mexicans eventually attacked, and Polk worked up the American people into a frenzy by saying that the Mexicans shed American blood on our soil!   

Polk then worked up the American people into a frenzy by saying that the Mexicans shed American blood on our soil!   

The Whigs opposed the war, hoping the conflict would have end peacefully.   

The Whigs, including Abraham Lincoln, opposed the war, hoping the conflict would have end peacefully.   

America's troops were strong, and managed to incite a rebellion in California, which was Mexico's territory.  When American troops entered Mexico, they easily defeated the opposition.  But the Mexicans still refused to negotiate, so Polk sent an army to occupy Mexico City.  Again, Mexico would not enter into a treaty for peace, and the wars with Mexico continued for several years.

America's troops were strong, and managed to incite a rebellion in California, which was Mexico's territory.  When American troops entered Mexico, they easily defeated the opposition.  But the Mexicans still refused to negotiate, so Polk sent an army to occupy Mexico City.  Again, Mexico would not enter into a treaty for peace, and the wars with Mexico continued for several years.

 

In the end, Polk also worked himself to death, dying just a few months after leaving office.  He used to see every visitor that came to the White House!

In the end, Polk also worked himself to death, dying just a few months after leaving office.  He used to see every visitor that came to the White House!