James Knox Polk

Polk, James Knox (1795–1849), 11th president of the U.S. Polk was elected on a pledge to extend the nation's existing territory. During his presidency, the United States—in accordance with the doctrine of “manifest destiny”—expanded across the entire continent and, as part of that expansion, fought the Mexican War.

Early life

Polk graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1818, then studied law. Admitted to the bar in 1820, he set up a practice in Columbia, Tenn. In 1824, Polk married Sarah Childress.

Political career

Polk became active in the Democratic party. He served in the Tennessee House of Representatives (1823–25), then in the U.S. House of Representatives (1825–39). In 1839, he was elected governor of Tennessee on a slavery-and-states'-rights platform, but lost reelection bids in 1841 and 1843. At the 1844 Democratic national convention, the most pressing political issue was the annexation of Texas. The country as a whole—particularly the South and West, on whose votes the Democrats relied—wanted territorial expansion. The leading Democratic candidate, Martin Van Buren, opposed the annexation of Texas. Polk, proposed as a compromise candidate, became the first “dark horse” (or little-known) presidential candidate in U.S. politics. Besides favoring annexing Texas, Polk pledged to extend the Oregon Territory's boundary to a latitude of 54°40'; his campaign slogan was “54–40 or Fight!” He soundly defeated Henry Clay, the Whig candidate, who had vacillated on the annexation issue.

President

By the time Polk took office, the annexation issue had been settled. (Texas had been admitted to the Union as a slave state under John Tyler, the outgoing Whig president.) As for the “54–40 or Fight!” pledge, Polk had to compromise. In June 1846, the Oregon Treaty established the boundary between the U.S. and British America (now Canada) at the 49th parallel.

Polk offered to buy from Mexico the territory of California and New Mexico (present-day Arizona, California, Utah, and New Mexico) and to settle Texas's boundary at the Rio Grande. Mexico refused. Polk sent troops to the Mexican border, then, when a small Mexican force attacked, told Congress that the U.S. had been “invaded.” On May 13, 1846, Congress declared war. The Mexican War (1846–48) ended with Mexico recognizing the Rio Grande border and with the U.S. annexing California and much of the Southwest.

Keeping a campaign pledge to the South, Polk pushed for a lower tariff; it was not raised again till after the Civil War. Other voters fared less well during his administration. Westerners accused Polk of favoring the South, arguing that his major achievement had been to acquire territory that benefited slave owners.

Retirement

Polk chose not to run for reelection, and retired in 1849. He lived for only a few months after his term ended. Polk died at his home in Nashville, Tenn., on June 15, 1849.