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'''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 [[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]].
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.
==Early life==
==Early life==
Polk, the first of ten children, was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, 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]]
Polk, the first of ten children, was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, 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]]
==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.]]
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 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===
===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.
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.
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.
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.
[[Image:Polk44b.jpg|thumb|200px|Note the star for Texas--Polk promised to bring it inside the Union]]
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.
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.