James Knox Polk

Birth-Death: (1795 - 1849 ) Term: (1845-1849 )

James K. Polk pursued the "Manifest Destiny" belief. During his presidency the country expanded dramatically, adding the territories of Oregon, California, New Mexico and Texas. In addition to taking over these regions, Polk had a great domestic policy, lowering tariffs, and establishin such great institutions as the Smithsonian.

Major Events with James Polk

1846-1848 - Mexican War, Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

    The Mexican War was foreseen by Henry Clay when he decided not to include the annexation of Texas in the Whig platform. He said that the annexation of Texas would involve the United States in a boundary dispute with Mexico, which might then lead to war.

    This was exactly what happened. General Taylor's troops were ambushed on the Southern border of Texas, and cries for retaliation spread through the United States. Polk asked for war and Congress declared it. The war did not involve much fierce fighting and was over in about a year.

    The Mexicans signed the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo which had the United States purchase the territory from Mexico at $15 million and assumed debts of $3.25 million.

1846 - Oregon Boundary Settled

    Polk was elected on a ticket of expanding into Oregon. One of his slogans was "Fifty-four forty or fight!" He didn't completely follow this slogan because he did not want to get involved in a lengthy war with Great Britain, and the Oregon question was settled with the United States receiving a little less than half the territory.

James Knox Polk

Birth-Death: (1795 - 1849 ) Term: (1845-1849 )

James K. Polk pursued the "Manifest Destiny" belief. During his presidency the country expanded dramatically, adding the territories of Oregon, California, New Mexico and Texas. In addition to taking over these regions, Polk had a great domestic policy, lowering tariffs, and establishin such great institutions as the Smithsonian.

Major Events with James Polk

1846-1848 - Mexican War, Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

    The Mexican War was foreseen by Henry Clay when he decided not to include the annexation of Texas in the Whig platform. He said that the annexation of Texas would involve the United States in a boundary dispute with Mexico, which might then lead to war.

    This was exactly what happened. General Taylor's troops were ambushed on the Southern border of Texas, and cries for retaliation spread through the United States. Polk asked for war and Congress declared it. The war did not involve much fierce fighting and was over in about a year.

    The Mexicans signed the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo which had the United States purchase the territory from Mexico at $15 million and assumed debts of $3.25 million.

1846 - Oregon Boundary Settled

    Polk was elected on a ticket of expanding into Oregon. One of his slogans was "Fifty-four forty or fight!" He didn't completely follow this slogan because he did not want to get involved in a lengthy war with Great Britain, and the Oregon question was settled with the United States receiving a little less than half the territory.