James K. Polk
- James Polk, the 11th President of the United States of America, served from March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849.
James Knox Polk ( November 2, 1795 – June 15, 1849) was the 11th President of the United States (1845–1849). Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as Speaker of the House (1835–1839) and Governor of Tennessee (1839–1841). Polk was the surprise (“dark horse“) candidate for president in 1844, defeating Henry Clay of the rival Whig Party by promising to annex Texas. (The Whigs blocked Tyler from annexing Texas during Polk’s campaign to give him this issue. When the election ended, Texas was granted entry into the Union in the last days of Tyler’s presidency.) Polk was a leader of Jacksonian Democracy during the Second Party System.
Polk is noted for his aggressive and bellicose foreign policy. He threatened war with Britain over the issue of which nation owned the Oregon Country, then backed away and split the ownership of the region with Britain. When Mexico rejected American annexation of Texas, Polk led the nation to a sweeping victory in the Mexican-American War, which gave the United States most of its present Southwest. He secured passage of the Walker tariff of 1846, which had low rates that pleased his native South, and he established a treasury system that lasted until 1913.
Polk oversaw the opening of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Smithsonian Institution, the groundbreaking for the Washington Monument, and the issuance of the first postage stamps in the United States.
He promised to serve only one term and did not run for reelection. He died of cholera three months after his term ended.
Short URL: http://thepresidency.us/?p=62
Posted by RobertButler
on Sep 13 2011. Filed under 19th Century Presidents, James K. Polk, The Democratic Party.
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