James K. Polk
" No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure."
Term
March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849
Vice President
George Dallas
Party
Democratic
Election Opponents
Henry Clay
America At This Time
- Texas is admitted as a slave state, making it the twenty-eighth state in the Union. December 29, 1845
- The great Irish potato famine forces huge waves of starving immigrants to the United States, sparking anti-Catholic, nativist backlashes. 1845 - 1901
- Congress declares war on Mexico after American troops, under General Zachary Taylor, clash with Mexican troops on the north bank of the Rio Grande. May 13, 1846
- Iowa is admitted as a free state, making it the twenty-ninth state in the Union. December 28, 1846
Key People of the Presidency
- George Dallas 1845–1849
- Secretary of State- James Buchanan 1845-1849
- Secretary of Treasury- Robert J. Walker 1845–1849
- Secretary of War- William L. Marcy 1845–1849
- Attorney General- John Y. Mason 1845-1846, Nathan Clifford 1846-1848, Isaac Toucey 1848-1849
Economic Policies
- Reestablish the Independent Treasury System.
- Reduce tariffs.
- Acquire some or all of Oregon Country.
- Acquire California and New Mexico from Mexico.
Foreign Policies
- He strongly supported expansion.
- Polk supported the annexation of Texas.
- He sought to acquire the the Oregon Country.
Domestic Policies
He made internal improvements and restored the independent treasury.