Future President James K. Polk was born on November 2nd, 1795 in North Carolina to a semi influential family of Samuel and Jane Knox Polk (His mother was a descendant of Scottish religious reformer John Knox).At the age of eleven Polk and his family moved to Maury County, Tennessee where Polk enrolled in school and would spend the remainder of his childhood. As a student Polk was studious, intellectual, and industrious and in the year of 1818 graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina. After his graduation Polk made his way back to Tennessee and studied law for two years in Nashville until he was admitted to the bar in 1820. Afterwards Polk developed his own lucrative law practice in Colombia, Tennessee. Educated as a lawyer Polk soon attained an interest for government and soon entered into the realm of politics where he served in the Tennessee Legislature. It was here that the young Polk befriended Andrew Jackson a friendship which would later be very influential in Polk's choice of political parties. An avid supporter of Andrew Jackson Polk rose steadily up the ranks of the Democratic Party and while in The House of Representatives, Polk became a chief lieutenant of Jackson in his Bank war and served as Speaker between 1835 and 1839. Polk would leave his position in the House of Representatives to become Governor of Tennessee. In his personal life Polk married big socialite at the time Sarah Childress on January 1, 1824 (the union would provide his career with a big boost), sadly however the couple never had children.
In his political life Polk was met with an increasing strength of the Whig Party within the state after he left the House of Representatives. For this reason his political career was frustrated for the next several years and as a result he suffered defeat in 1841 and again in 1843 in his quest for re-election. Luck changed for Polk in the election of 1844 where due to an array of circumstances Polk was a candidate for election. During his election Polk became the first "dark horse" candidate which meant that he was a little known person. To his disadvantage Polk was in fact a "dark horse", little people knew him outside of his home state which posed an issue for the influence of voting. A popular cry for the opponent Whig party was "Who is James Polk?" Polk's election was based on the issues of re-occupation of Oregon and the re-annexation of Texas. In the year of 1845 Polk secured a near victory over his opponent Henry Clay with a score of 170 electoral votes to Clay's 105. The main reason for Polk's victory was the fact that he promised the people annexation of Texas. Polk now became the eleventh President of the United States of America.
Some fun facts about Polk was that he was the first president to fully commit himself to one single term and was resolved to govern independently. During his presidency Polk set up a total of four goals that he wished to accomplish before his term was up. Those goals include: (1) securing a lower duty on imports, (2) separation the federal government and the US Treasury from the banking industry, and (3) to acquire Texas, California, and (4) Oregon for the United States. Prior to his inauguration in March of 1845, one of his objectives was attained. President John Tyler had signed the bill providing for the annexation of Texas. Before his term was complete Polk succeeded in reaching every one of his goals.
The Presidency of James K. Polk was met with opposition as well with admiration. His domestic program strengthened America on the home front and his foreign policies kept relative peace among the major countries. All in all Polk's presidency was a success and lead the way for his successor Zachary Taylor.
"James K. Polk." The White House. The White House. Web. 02 Nov. 2011 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jamespolk/>.
"James K. Polk, 11th President." James K. Polk. National Archives. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://jameskpolk.org/>.
Slavery, Texas with. "James K. Polk: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article."AbsoluteAstronomy.com. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/James_K._Polk>.
In his political life Polk was met with an increasing strength of the Whig Party within the state after he left the House of Representatives. For this reason his political career was frustrated for the next several years and as a result he suffered defeat in 1841 and again in 1843 in his quest for re-election. Luck changed for Polk in the election of 1844 where due to an array of circumstances Polk was a candidate for election. During his election Polk became the first "dark horse" candidate which meant that he was a little known person. To his disadvantage Polk was in fact a "dark horse", little people knew him outside of his home state which posed an issue for the influence of voting. A popular cry for the opponent Whig party was "Who is James Polk?" Polk's election was based on the issues of re-occupation of Oregon and the re-annexation of Texas. In the year of 1845 Polk secured a near victory over his opponent Henry Clay with a score of 170 electoral votes to Clay's 105. The main reason for Polk's victory was the fact that he promised the people annexation of Texas. Polk now became the eleventh President of the United States of America.
Some fun facts about Polk was that he was the first president to fully commit himself to one single term and was resolved to govern independently. During his presidency Polk set up a total of four goals that he wished to accomplish before his term was up. Those goals include: (1) securing a lower duty on imports, (2) separation the federal government and the US Treasury from the banking industry, and (3) to acquire Texas, California, and (4) Oregon for the United States. Prior to his inauguration in March of 1845, one of his objectives was attained. President John Tyler had signed the bill providing for the annexation of Texas. Before his term was complete Polk succeeded in reaching every one of his goals.
The Presidency of James K. Polk was met with opposition as well with admiration. His domestic program strengthened America on the home front and his foreign policies kept relative peace among the major countries. All in all Polk's presidency was a success and lead the way for his successor Zachary Taylor.
"James K. Polk." The White House. The White House. Web. 02 Nov. 2011 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jamespolk/>.
"James K. Polk, 11th President." James K. Polk. National Archives. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://jameskpolk.org/>.
Slavery, Texas with. "James K. Polk: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article."AbsoluteAstronomy.com. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/James_K._Polk>.
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