
Profession: 11th US President
Political Party: Democratic
Political Titles: Governor of Tennessee, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
Presidential Term:
March 4, 1845 -
March 4, 1849
Preceded By: John Tyler
Succeeded By: Zachary Taylor
Biography: Polk served as Governor of Tennessee and served as the 11th President of the United States (1845 to 1849). He was essentially a compromise candidate between the various Congressional factions, and is considered by historians to be the last strong pre-Civil War president, in part because he achieved every domestic and foreign goal set out during his presidential campaign.
His presidency was dominated by his foreign policy successes. He threatened war with Britain over the issue of which nation owned the Oregon Country, then backed away and split the ownership of the region with Britain.
When Mexico rejected the American annexation of Texas, Polk led the nation to a sweeping victory in the Mexican–American War, which gave the United States most of its present Southwest. In addition he agreed the Oregon Treaty with Britain, settling disputes in the Pacific Northwest.
In domestic policies he reduced tariffs and re-established the Independent Treasury. Polk pledged not to stand for a second term, and died from cholera three months after his retirement in 1849.
Born: November 2, 1795
Birthplace: Pineville, North Carolina, USA
Star Sign: Scorpio
Articles and Photos
California Gold Rush
At first it was just a glint in James Marshall’s eye. But when he confirmed what he thought he had seen, the frantic California Gold Rush of the 1840s began.
January 24, 1848Oldest Photo of a Serving US President
James K. Polk, in a restored 1849 daguerrotype that is the oldest image of a serving American president
February 14, 1849
Married Life
- 1824-01-01 US President James Knox Polk (28) weds Sarah Childress (20) in Murfreesboro
Historical Events
- 1844-12-04 James Knox Polk elected 11th US President
- 1845-03-04 James K. Polk inaugurated as 11th US President
- 1845-12-02 US President James K. Polk announces to Congress that the United States should aggressively expand into the West, a widely held belief termed "manifest destiny" by newspaper editor John O'Sullivan
- 1848-12-05 US President James K. Polk triggers Gold Rush of 1849 by confirming a gold discovery in California
- 1849-02-14 In New York City, James Knox Polk becomes first serving US President to have his photograph taken (by Matthew Brady).