Changes

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 [[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.  

[[Image:Polk1844.jpg|thumb|280px|Democrats who rallied for Polk in the 1844 election marched behind similar banners.]]

[[Image:Polk1844.jpg|thumb|280px|Democrats who rallied for Polk in the 1844 election marched behind these cloth banners.]]

[[Image:Polk44b.jpg|thumb|280px]]

[[Image:Polk44b.jpg|thumb|280px|Note the star for Texas--Polk promised to bring it inside the Union]]

==Early life==  

==Early life==