11/2/1795 – 6/15/1849
Party: Democratic
Timeline; 1845-1849
#11 James K. Polk- The Expansionist President
Polk had an interest in politics and practiced law early on, being admitted to the bar in 1820. He served On Tennessee’s House of Representative’s 6th district (1825-1833) and 9th district (1833-1839) as well as becoming the speaker of the house (1835-1839), before moving on to Governor of Tennessee (1839-1841), failing to win the spot again in 41′ and 43′ prompted him to move to Washington.
He was the only president to ever have served as House Speaker, as well as Governor of Tennessee. Polk was the dark horse candidate for president, surprisingly defeating Henry Clay by promising to annex Texas. His nickname was “Young Hickory” because of his close association with “Old Hickory”, Andrew Jackson.
1845;
- James K. Polk becomes eleventh President of the United States at the age of 49. George M. Dallas is his Vice President
- The Great Irish Potato shortage forces huge waves of immigrants to United States
- Polk orders General Taylor to the Rio Grande in case of Mexican invasion
- Manifest Destiny becomes a label to justify expanding the United Sates
- Texas (slave) becomes the 28th state of the Union
- U.S. Naval Academy formed
1846;
- Brigham Young leads Mormon migration to Utah
- Congress declares war on Mexico after the clash at Rio Grande
MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR
- American settlers take over Sonoma California which was called the Bear Flag Revolt
- Polk threatens war with U.K. over Oregon, Oregon Treaty is made.
- Congress passes Tariff of 1846
- Polk vetoes River and Harbors Bill that he deems favoring an area and unconstitutional
- Polk signs into law the Independent Treasury Act of 1846
- Congress establishes the Smithsonian Institution
- Iowa (free) becomes the 29th state of the Union
1847;
- First U.S. postage stamp issued
- General Taylor’s army wins the Battle of Buena Vista while General Winfield Scott’s army wins the invasion of Mexico, finishing with the Battle for Mexico City, pressurizing the Mexican government to take Polk’s demands of peace.
BATTLE FOR MEXICO CITY
1848;
- James Marshall finds gold in Sacramento, beginning a mass migration of the California gold rush.
CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH
- Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago signed, ending the Mexican-American war.
TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO
- Wisconsin (free) becomes the 30th state of the Union
- John Q. Adams is laid to rest in Quincy, VA
- Declaration of Sentiments were being fought by woman to have equal rights
- Construction of Washington Monument started
Scholars have ranked Polk favorably on lists of greatest presidents for his ability to promote, obtain support for, and achieve all of the major items on his presidential agenda. Polk is the least known president, that had a strong significance of the United States and in doing so, held true to his campaign, even pledged to only serve one term as President, Polk left office and returned to Tennessee in March 1849. He died of cholera three months later.
Famous quotes:
“No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure.”
“Peace, plenty, and contentment reign throughout our borders, and our beloved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world.”
“One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing