James K. Polk became the 11th president of the United States from 1845-1849. He was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in 1795 and graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1818 (Freidel). Polk was known as the “dark horse” candidate because he was the underdog and not very well known in the presidential election of 1844 (History). After graduating from the University of North Carolina, Polk began to study law in Nashville, Tennessee and got a job as the clerk of the state senate. Polk moved on to become a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives then became chief legislative lieutenant of Tennessee Governor William Carrolls (Miller). Polk was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1825 and served as speaker of the House from 1835-1839 (History).
After leaving the House of Representatives, Polk returned to Tennessee to become governor for a few years then was a leading contender for the Democratic nomination for Vice President in 1844. The public liked the idea of expanding westward (known as “Manifest Destiny”), and Polk was nominated on the ninth ballot for President (Freidel). James K. …show more content…
Polk became the nation’s first “dark horse” candidate in 1844 when he was nominated for the Democratic Party (History). The main political party at the time that rivaled the Democrats was the Whig Party and their nomination for president was Henry Clay. The Whigs used the slogan “Who is James K. Polk?” because he was not well known (Freidel). Polk supported the annexation of Texas and wanted to negotiate with the British to take control of the Northwest states (Washington, Idaho, and Oregon). Polk was a slave owner but had an idea to add Texas as a slave state and Oregon as a free state to the Union. This kept the House of Representatives balanced (Miller). This idea allowed Polk to keep support from the South and gain some support from the North (Freidel). After the votes were counted, Polk had beaten Clay 1,338,464 to 1,300,094 in the popular vote (Miller). To Texas the reunion is important, because the strong protecting arm of our Government would be extended over her, and the vast resources of her fertile soil and genial climate would be speedily developed, while the safety of New Orleans and of our whole southwestern frontier against hostile aggression, as well as the interests of the whole Union, would be promoted by it. (Inauguration) Polk addressed this in his presidential inauguration speech in 1845. Congress passed the annexation of Texas before Polk started office and he was warned about a war with Mexico. Polk ordered troops to the Mexican border and offered to buy California, but the Mexican government refused and killed 11 U.S. soldiers. Polk asked Congress to declare war on Mexico but some people opposed the war, therefore, Polk decided not to run for a second term (Miller). Polk also had his sights on Oregon, but was risking another war with Great Britain. Great Britain did not want a war so they settled on a treaty allowing the United States have all of the land south of the 49th parallel (Freidel). Slavery was still an issue that Polk left behind for the next presidency (Miller). Polk changed a few of his cabinet members during his presidency but the main ones where his Secretary of State and Secretary of War.
After leaving the House of Representatives, Polk returned to Tennessee to become governor for a few years then was a leading contender for the Democratic nomination for Vice President in 1844. The public liked the idea of expanding westward (known as “Manifest Destiny”), and Polk was nominated on the ninth ballot for President (Freidel). James K. …show more content…
Polk became the nation’s first “dark horse” candidate in 1844 when he was nominated for the Democratic Party (History). The main political party at the time that rivaled the Democrats was the Whig Party and their nomination for president was Henry Clay. The Whigs used the slogan “Who is James K. Polk?” because he was not well known (Freidel). Polk supported the annexation of Texas and wanted to negotiate with the British to take control of the Northwest states (Washington, Idaho, and Oregon). Polk was a slave owner but had an idea to add Texas as a slave state and Oregon as a free state to the Union. This kept the House of Representatives balanced (Miller). This idea allowed Polk to keep support from the South and gain some support from the North (Freidel). After the votes were counted, Polk had beaten Clay 1,338,464 to 1,300,094 in the popular vote (Miller). To Texas the reunion is important, because the strong protecting arm of our Government would be extended over her, and the vast resources of her fertile soil and genial climate would be speedily developed, while the safety of New Orleans and of our whole southwestern frontier against hostile aggression, as well as the interests of the whole Union, would be promoted by it. (Inauguration) Polk addressed this in his presidential inauguration speech in 1845. Congress passed the annexation of Texas before Polk started office and he was warned about a war with Mexico. Polk ordered troops to the Mexican border and offered to buy California, but the Mexican government refused and killed 11 U.S. soldiers. Polk asked Congress to declare war on Mexico but some people opposed the war, therefore, Polk decided not to run for a second term (Miller). Polk also had his sights on Oregon, but was risking another war with Great Britain. Great Britain did not want a war so they settled on a treaty allowing the United States have all of the land south of the 49th parallel (Freidel). Slavery was still an issue that Polk left behind for the next presidency (Miller). Polk changed a few of his cabinet members during his presidency but the main ones where his Secretary of State and Secretary of War.