James K. Polk

James Knox Polk (November 2 1795 – June 15 1849) was the eleventh President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849. Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, but mostly lived in and represented the state of Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as Speaker of the House (1835–1839) and Governor of Tennessee (1839–1841) prior to becoming president. He is (as of 2005) the only former Speaker of the House to become President. He is noted for his expansionist beliefs, for his pledge to serve only one term, and for becoming the first "dark horse" (a candidate who unexpectedly gains the party nomination) to win the presidency.

Legacy

Many historians rank Polk as a near-great President, certainly the greatest between Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln lauding the extent of his achievements in a single term: Polk had attained all four of his primary policy objectives. One could argue, however, that Polk failed to acquire the whole of the Oregon Country, as he promised during his campaign. Moreover, his decision to send Zachary Taylor into disputed territory, and his subsequent justification of the Mexican-American War, have been condemned by many historians.

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Polk's actions in relation to Mexico involved significant consequences for the United States. In 1846, Congressman David Wilmot of Pennsylvania introduced a proposal known as the Wilmot Proviso, which would have outlawed slavery in any U.S. territory acquired in the course of the war. Though the House passed the Proviso on numerous occasions, it was blocked by southern Senators. The Compromise of 1850 temporarily settled the dispute; California was admitted to the Union as a "free state," while the other territories carved out of the Mexican Cession were allowed to permit or prohibit slavery as they saw fit. The Compromise of 1850, however, failed to satisfy extremists on both sides. Disputes over slavery in the West, together with other inflammatory events of the 1850s, contributed to the American Civil War, which began in 1861.

Related Topics:
David Wilmot - Pennsylvania - Wilmot Proviso - Slavery - Compromise of 1850 - 1850s - American Civil War

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President Polk is also notable for his support for the concept of Manifest Destiny—the idea that it was the United States' divine mission to expand westward—and for his affirmation of the Monroe Doctrine—the doctrine, first propounded by President James Monroe in 1823, that the Americas should be free from European colonization or other interference.

Related Topics:
Manifest Destiny - Monroe Doctrine - James Monroe - Americas - European

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A number of United States counties are named after Polk. These include Polk County, Oregon, originally established in 1845. Polk County in Northwest Georgia, was founded in 1851. Polk County, Florida was founded ten years later in 1861. Polk County, Nebraska was the fourth county founded West of the Missouri River in 1870. Polk County, Missouri, founded in 1835, was originally named in honor of a Revolutionary War hero Ezekiel Polk. When the Missouri legislature acted to create the county, they chose to honor the then current Speaker of the House, James K. Polk.

Related Topics:
United States counties - Polk County, Oregon - 1845 - Polk County - Georgia - 1851 - Polk County, Florida - Polk County, Nebraska - Missouri River - 1870 - Polk County, Missouri - 1835 - Revolutionary War - Ezekiel Polk - Missouri - Speaker of the House

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Polk is the subject of a song, "James K. Polk," by American pop group They Might Be Giants. It originally appeared on their 1990 EP Istanbul (Not Constantinople) as a B-side, and later appeared with the same lyrics but a different musical arrangement on their 1996 album Factory Showroom. The song is a surprisingly complete account of his presidential nomination and subsequent career, ending with a lament of his continued obscurity.

Related Topics:
They Might Be Giants - 1990 - EP - Istanbul (Not Constantinople) - B-side - 1996 - Factory Showroom

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