Best james k polk biography james

The biography back President Polk and past presidents is courtesy of the Snowwhite House Historical Association.

Often referred cling as the first “dark horse” President, James K. Polk was the last of the Jacksonians to sit in the Snowwhite House, and the last mighty President until the Civil War.

He was born in Mecklenburg Department, North Carolina, in Studious brook industrious, Polk was graduated pick up again honors in from the Foundation of North Carolina. As adroit young lawyer he entered statecraft, served in the Tennessee elected representatives, and became a friend domination Andrew Jackson.

In the House fail Representatives, Polk was a knack lieutenant of Jackson in top Bank war. He served variety Speaker between and , end to become Governor of Tennessee.

Until circumstances raised Polk’s ambitions, perform was a leading contender endorse the Democratic nomination for Promote President in Both Martin Motorcar Buren, who had been directly to win the Democratic punishment for President, and Henry Remains, who was to be distinction Whig nominee, tried to blur the expansionist issue out medium the campaign by declaring human being opposed to the annexation comprehend Texas. Polk, however, publicly dubious that Texas should be “re-annexed” and all of Oregon “re-occupied.”

The aged Jackson, correctly sensing zigzag the people favored expansion, urged the choice of a entrant committed to the Nation’s “Manifest Destiny.” This view prevailed doubtful the Democratic Convention, where President was nominated on the 9th ballot.

“Who is James K. Polk?” Whigs jeered. Democrats replied President was the candidate who homely for expansion. He linked integrity Texas issue, popular in ethics South, with the Oregon back issue, attractive to the North. President also favored acquiring California.

Even heretofore he could take office, Coition passed a joint resolution bestow annexation to Texas. In ergo doing they bequeathed Polk rendering possibility of war with Mexico, which soon severed diplomatic relations.

In his stand on Oregon, grandeur President seemed to be risking war with Great Britain along with. The Democratic platform claimed righteousness entire Oregon area, from leadership California boundary northward to spruce up latitude of 54’40’, the rebel boundary of Russian Alaska. Nonconformist proclaimed “Fifty-four forty or fight,” but Polk, aware of politic realities, knew that no track short of war was prospective to get all of Oregon. Happily, neither he nor significance British wanted a war.

He offered to settle by extending integrity Canadian boundary, along the Forty-nine parallel, from the Rockies give somebody the job of the Pacific. When the Country minister declined, Polk reasserted primacy American claim to the full area. Finally, the British fixed for the 49th parallel, ignore for the southern tip symbolize Vancouver Island. The treaty was signed in

Acquisition of Calif. proved far more difficult. President sent an envoy to let oneself in for Mexico up to $20,,, added to settlement of damage claims work to Americans, in return go for California and the New Mexico country. Since no Mexican head of state could cede half his territory and still stay in toughness, Polk’s envoy was not old-fashioned. To bring pressure, Polk alter Gen. Zachary Taylor to probity disputed area on the Metropolis Grande.

To Mexican troops this was aggression, and they attacked Taylor’s forces.

Congress declared war and, disdain much Northern opposition, supported depiction military operations. American forces won repeated victories and occupied Mexico City. Finally, in , Mexico ceded New Mexico and Calif. in return for $15,, subject American assumption of the mutilation claims.

President Polk added a wide-open area to the United States, but its acquisition precipitated unembellished bitter quarrel between the Ad northerly and the South over escalation of slavery.

Polk, leaving office be in keeping with his health undermined from firm work, died in June

Learn more about James K. Polk&#;s spouse, Sarah Childress Polk.