James K. Polk

James Knox Polk was the 11th president of the United States. He served from 1845 to 1849. Polk was a follower of Andrew Jackson and a member of the Democratic Party.

Polk strongly supported American expansionism and Jacksonian democracy. During his time as president, Texas joined the United States. This helped lead to the Mexican–American War. After the war, the United States grew to reach the Pacific Ocean. Polk also helped settle a dispute with the United Kingdom over the Oregon Territory. This set the present border between the United States and Canada.

Before becoming president, Polk worked as a lawyer in Tennessee. He served in the state legislature and the United States House of Representatives. He even became Speaker of the House. In the 1844 presidential election, he was chosen as the Democratic Party nominee. He narrowly won against Henry Clay of the Whig Party. Polk promised to serve only one term as president, and he kept that promise.

Polk helped the United States grow by adding new lands, including parts of the American Southwest from Mexico. He also worked to reduce taxes and improve the nation's financial system.

Early life

Further information: President James K. Polk Historic Site

James Knox Polk was born on November 2, 1795, in a log cabin in Pineville, North Carolina. He was the first of ten children in a farming family. His parents were Samuel Polk, a farmer, and Jane. The family had lived in America for many years, moving from Maryland to Pennsylvania and then to North Carolina.

Polk’s family liked to talk about politics. He heard names like Andrew Jackson and Thomas Jefferson at dinner. Even though Polk was not very strong as a child, he still worked hard to study. He went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and did well. After university, Polk studied law and became a lawyer. He also started a career in politics, beginning as a clerk for the Tennessee State Senate.

Early political career

Polk wanted to become a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. He worked hard during his campaign and people liked how he spoke, giving him a nickname, "Napoleon of the Stump." He won the election and started his political journey.

Polk married Sarah Childress, who helped him with his speeches and advice. He became a strong supporter of Andrew Jackson and his ideas. Polk’s political path was closely tied to Jackson’s influence and support.

Election of 1844

James K. Polk wanted to become the next vice president of the United States. Martin Van Buren was the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination, but some people disagreed with him.

One big issue was whether Texas should join the United States. Texas had already left Mexico, and many Americans lived there. Mexico was unhappy about this. Polk supported Texas joining the country, while Van Buren was unsure. After a long convention, Polk became the Democratic nominee for president.

In the general election, Polk faced some criticism, but he won with 49.5% of the popular vote and became the 11th president of the United States. He was the first president elected without winning his home state of Tennessee.

Presidency (1845–1849)

James K. Polk was the 11th president of the United States. He served from 1845 to 1849. Polk believed strongly in making the country bigger. He followed Andrew Jackson.

Polk had four main goals when he became president:

• Bring government money back to the Treasury, not keep it in banks.
• Lower taxes on goods brought into the country.
• Get control of the Oregon Country.
• Get California and its ports from Mexico.

Polk’s goals helped the United States grow. He brought Texas into the United States. This led to some problems with Mexico. His time as president was full of big changes and new lands for the country.

Election of 1848

Main article: 1848 United States presidential election

Polk decided not to run for another term as president. At the 1848 Democratic National Convention, Lewis Cass became the Democratic candidate. The 1848 Whig National Convention chose Zachary Taylor as their president candidate and Millard Fillmore from New York as vice president. Martin Van Buren created his own Free Soil Party, leaving the Democrats. Polk was upset by Van Buren's choice and worried about the new party’s focus on ending slavery in new states.

Taylor won the election with the most votes from people and a majority of the special voting group. Polk was not happy with Taylor, thinking he lacked good judgment and strong opinions. Still, Polk followed tradition and welcomed Taylor to Washington with a big dinner at the White House. Polk left the White House on March 3, finishing his last tasks from his hotel or the Capitol. He watched Taylor’s inauguration on March 5 and, despite his concerns, wished Taylor success.

Post-presidency and death (1849)

After finishing his time as president, James K. Polk felt very tired. He left Washington, D.C., on March 6 to travel through the Southern United States and end his journey in Nashville. Before leaving, he had bought a home there called Polk Place, which once belonged to his teacher, Felix Grundy.

As Polk and his wife, Sarah, traveled along the Atlantic coast and through the Deep South, many people welcomed them happily. But when they reached Alabama, Polk caught a bad cold. He also heard news about a sickness called cholera. Sadly, some people on his riverboat got very sick. Even though Polk felt very unwell, he continued his trip. Doctors checked on him and said he didn’t have cholera. Finally, on April 2, he arrived in Nashville where many people cheered for him.

After visiting his mother, Polk and Sarah moved into Polk Place. Even though he was very tired, Polk seemed to feel a little better. But in early June, he got sick again. Doctors came to help him, and he spent several days very unwell. During this time, Polk decided to join the Methodist Church, a church he had always respected. Sadly, on the afternoon of June 15, Polk passed away at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 53.

After Polk’s passing, his funeral was held at the McKendree Methodist Church in Nashville. His wife, Sarah, lived in Polk Place for many years and passed away in 1891 at the age of 87. The home they loved was torn down in 1901.

Burials

After James K. Polk passed away, he was first buried in Nashville City Cemetery. Later, in 1850, his body was moved to a tomb at Polk Place, as he had wished. In 1893, both James and his wife Sarah were moved again to rest on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. People have talked about moving their remains once more to Polk's family home in Columbia, but no final decision has been made.

Polk and slavery

James K. Polk owned people as slaves for most of his adult life. His father left him land and many enslaved people. Polk inherited twenty enslaved people and later bought more, sending some to work on plantations in different states.

Polk saw his plantations as a way to secure his future after his presidency. He bought more enslaved people over the years, hoping to increase his income. As president, he did not buy enslaved people with his salary but continued to invest in his plantations. After his death, his wife Sarah hoped to free the enslaved people, but this did not happen until after the Civil War.

Historical legacy

James K. Polk is remembered as a president who helped the United States grow. He added new lands, including parts of Oregon, California, and New Mexico. He also worked to settle border disputes and lower taxes. Many leaders praised Polk for his clear plans and strong leadership.

Some of Polk's decisions caused problems later on. These included questions about how new lands would be governed.