The 11th President of the United States was James K. Polk.
Term in Office: March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849
Political Party: Democrat
Major Accomplishments and Events during Polk’s Presidency
Here are some key points about James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States.
Manifest Destiny
President Polk is often associated with the idea of “Manifest Destiny,” the belief that the United States was destined to expand its territory over the entirety of North America.
Annexation of Texas
Texas was annexed to the U.S. shortly before Polk took office, and he defended the annexation leading to the eventual admission of Texas as a state.
Oregon Territory
Polk settled a border dispute with Britain, which led to the acquisition of the Oregon Territory. The famous slogan “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight” referred to the northernmost boundary of the Oregon territory. In the end, a compromise was reached, and the boundary was set at the 49th parallel.
Mexican-American War
One of the most significant events of Polk’s presidency was the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). Following a dispute over the Texas-Mexico border, the U.S. declared war on Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war, saw the U.S. acquire a vast amount of territory, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
READ MORE: Why didn’t the United States annex all of Mexico?
Walker Tariff
In 1846, Polk signed the Walker Tariff into law, reducing tariff rates and increasing trade.
Establishment of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Smithsonian Institution
During his term, Polk saw the establishment of significant institutions, including the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Retirement
Polk was unique in that he did not seek a second term in office. He had pledged to serve only one term and kept that promise. He retired from the presidency in 1849.
How did President James K. Polk die?
President James K. Polk died shortly after his retirement, just three months after leaving office.
President James K. Polk died of what is believed to have been cholera, which he may have contracted during a tour of the southern states after leaving the White House. After serving his single term in office, Polk retired to his new home, Polk Place, in Nashville, Tennessee.
However, he lived for only three months after leaving the presidency. Polk died on June 15, 1849, making his post-presidential retirement one of the shortest among U.S. Presidents.
Given the symptoms he displayed and the rapid onset of his illness, cholera is the most commonly accepted cause of his death.
Personal Characteristics
Polk was known for his strong work ethic and his attention to detail. He was often described as serious and diligent.
He was a protégé of Andrew Jackson and shared many of Jackson’s Democratic ideals.
Legacy
In terms of lasting impact, Polk’s presidency significantly expanded the territorial size of the United States and set the stage for further westward expansion in the following decades.