James Knox Polk

James Knox Polk was born on November 2, 1795 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and he was the 11th president of the United States. He attended the University of North Carolina and graduated in 1818. He went on to become a lawyer before he became a politician. Polk was also a Colonel in the army for a time. He was a Presbyterian and a Democrat who greatly supported expansionist policies. He was the first "dark horse" (long shot) president and the last Jacksonian president. Before becoming president, Polk served as lieutenant in Jackson's Bank War, the Speaker of the House from 1835-1839, and then as the Governor of Tennessee. In the election of 1844, he ran against Henry Clay, and he narrowly won the presidency with 49.5% of the popular vote and an electoral margin of 170-105. He was the youngest president thus far at the age of 49, and he was also a workaholic. He stood for expansion of the United States and for the annexation of Texas and the occupation of Oregon. He supported the slogan "fifty-four forty or fight" in reference to the border of Oregon and how much of this land the United States were entitled to. Polk was able to peacefully come to an agreement with the British over the Canadian border in the Oregon Treaty of 1846, thus avoiding war with them. When Polk attempted to gain California and New Mexico, the Mexicans would not receive the American envoy and perceived Polk's action as a sign of aggression and Mexican troops attacked General Zachary Taylor's forces. This led to the Mexican-American War, in which the Americans were victorious and gained California and New Mexico in exchange for $15,000,000. However, this led to tension between the North and South over slavery because they were entered as non-slave states. Polk's administration also helped to improve the United States' economy by lowering tariffs and by establishing an independent Federal Treasury. In addition, during his presidency, Iowa and Wisconsin joined the Union, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the Smithsonian Institution and Department of Interior were established. James K. Polk only served one term and he was the only president to voluntarily retire after one term. During his administration, music and dancing was not allowed in the White House. Also, the California Gold Rush began during his administration. He was one of the only three presidents who did not have children and he was the first president to have his inauguration reported by telegraph. Also, the first gaslight was turned on in the White House during his administration Polk died on June 15, 1849 at the age of 54 in Nashville, Tennessee, due to cholera. He was buried at Polk Place initially, but his remains were later moved to Nashville, Tennessee.

"American President: James Knox Polk." Miller Center. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://millercenter.org/president/polk>.

"James K. Polk." The White House. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://m.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jamespolk>.

"The James K. Polk Home." James K. Polk Home. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://www.jameskpolk.com/new/biography.asp>.