James K. Polk
By Andrew Butterfield
General Overview
- 11th President of the United States
- Native of North Carolina
- Democrat
- Mexican-American War, led to the Annexation of Texas
- Oversaw the Founding of the Smithsonian Institution
- Ran with four major points:
- Reduce Tariffs
- Acquire some or all of New Mexico and California from Mexico.
- Reestablish the Independent Treasury System
- Acquire some or all of Oregon Country.
Biography I
Biography II
Biography III
- Reduce Tariffs
- Acquire some or all of New Mexico and California from Mexico.
- Reestablish the Independent Treasury System
- Acquire some or all of Oregon Country.
During his singular term, he accomplished all of that. He reduced tariffs through lowering some of the Whig-set tariffs from before and establishing lower ones of his own, and by restoring the Independent Treasury System. He contested Mexico through the Mexican-American war, and was able to lay claim to New Mexico and California as a result. Finally, he was able to compromise with Great Britain, under the phrase "54-40 or Fight!", which democrats used to rally their support for gaining Oregon. In addition, Polk also was president when Texas urged the US to annex it.
Biography IV
3 Major Achievements & Blunders
1. Oregon.
2. Lower Tariffs.
3. New Mexico and California.
Blunders:
1. Pro-Slavery
Nothing else really, Polk was president for a short time, and really did everything according to popular opinion and logically for his own motives.
Campaign Slogans
Reannexation of Texas and Reoccupation of Oregon