Difference between revisions of "James K. Polk"
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===Goals=== | ===Goals=== | ||
| − | In 1846, Polk launched an invasion of [[Mexico]] in response to Mexican soldiers ambushing an American scouting party. The Whig Congressman [[Abraham Lincoln]] said that the area of Texas that American soldiers entered was in dispute, and was later criticized for his "Spot Resolution" | + | In 1846, Polk launched an invasion of [[Mexico]] in response to Mexican soldiers ambushing an American scouting party. The Whig Congressman [[Abraham Lincoln]] said that the area of Texas that American soldiers entered was in dispute, and was later criticized for his "Spot Resolution", which sought to investigate whether the Mexicans shed American blood on American soil(Polk claimed the Mexicans fired on the Americans on American soil, while Lincoln contended that the Mexicans fired on the Americans on either disputed or Mexican land, making Polk's claim to war unjustified). After two years of fighting, and capturing [[Mexico City]], Mexico signed a treaty in which they sold New Mexico and California to the United States. |
In 1846, faced with the possiblity of war on two fronts, Polk made a treaty with Great Britain in which the [[Oregon Territory]] was to be split in half, with the United States getting the southern half. | In 1846, faced with the possiblity of war on two fronts, Polk made a treaty with Great Britain in which the [[Oregon Territory]] was to be split in half, with the United States getting the southern half. | ||
Revision as of 02:52, January 16, 2009
| James K. Polk | |
|---|---|
| 200px | |
| 11th President of the United States | |
| Term of office March 4, 1845 - March 4, 1849[1] | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Vice President | George M. Dallas |
| Preceded by | John Tyler |
| Succeeded by | Zachary Taylor |
| Born | November 3, 1795 Pineville, North Carolina |
| Died | June 15, 1849 Nashville, Tennessee |
| Spouse | Sarah Childress Polk |
| Religion | Methodist |
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States of America. He lived from 1795 to 1849.[2]He was elected in the 1844 Presidential Election as a Democrat and served as president from 1845-1849.[3]
As President, Polk had four goals; One, acquire New Mexico and California from Mexico; Two, acquire all of of part of the Oregon Territory; Three, lower tariffs; and four, establish and Independent Treasury.
Goals
In 1846, Polk launched an invasion of Mexico in response to Mexican soldiers ambushing an American scouting party. The Whig Congressman Abraham Lincoln said that the area of Texas that American soldiers entered was in dispute, and was later criticized for his "Spot Resolution", which sought to investigate whether the Mexicans shed American blood on American soil(Polk claimed the Mexicans fired on the Americans on American soil, while Lincoln contended that the Mexicans fired on the Americans on either disputed or Mexican land, making Polk's claim to war unjustified). After two years of fighting, and capturing Mexico City, Mexico signed a treaty in which they sold New Mexico and California to the United States.
In 1846, faced with the possiblity of war on two fronts, Polk made a treaty with Great Britain in which the Oregon Territory was to be split in half, with the United States getting the southern half.
Polk's Tariff Act of 1846 lowered tariffs from 35 to 25%. It was to remain unchanged until 1857.
In 1846, Polk's Independent Treasury Bill passed Congress. The act would remain in place until 1913.
Having completed all of his goals, Polk declined to run for a second term as he said before he was elected. He shortly afterwards retired at Polk Place, Nashville where he died on June 15, 1849[4]. He was the first President to be outlived by his mother.[2]
Notes & References
- ↑ http://www.trivia-library.com/a/11th-us-president-james-k-polk.htm
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Encyclopedia of Presidents James K. Polk by Dee Lillegard, Children's Press, 1988.
- ↑ http://www.trivia-library.com/a/11th-us-president-james-k-polk.htm
- ↑ http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/jkpolk.html
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