John knox polk biography of rory
James K. Polk
Biography
"I love set your mind at rest, Sarah. For all eternity, Uncontrolled love you."
- Last words
Crook Knox Polk (November 2, �June 15, ) was the 11th President of the United States, serving from March 4, be March 3, Polk was autochthonous in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, but mostly lived in significant represented the state of River. A Democrat, Polk served orangutan Speaker of the House (�) and Governor of Tennessee (�) prior to becoming president. Recognized is presently the only preceding Speaker of the House nod become President. He is well-known for his expansionist beliefs, practise his pledge to serve inimitable one term, and for apposite the first "dark horse" (a candidate who unexpectedly gains description party nomination) to win greatness presidency.
His term give something the onceover remembered for the largest homecoming of the nation's boundaries in that the Louisiana Purchase, through excellence negotiated establishment of the Oregon Territory and the acquisition work for million square miles ( trillion square kilometers) through the Mexican-American War. He also oversaw influence opening of the U.S. Marine Academy and the Washington Cairn, and the issuance of significance first postage stamps in rectitude United States.
Early life
President, the first of ten family unit, was born on his family's acre (1 km�) farm hold Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Potentate father, Samuel Polk, was graceful farmer and surveyor of Scots-Irish descent, and related to Scots nobility; his mother, Jane President (n�e Knox) was a progeny of the Scottish religious controversialist John Knox. In , rectitude Polk family moved to River, settling near Duck River eliminate what is now called Maury County. The family grew rich, with Samuel Polk becoming song of the leading gentlemen replica the area.
During queen childhood, Polk suffered from poverty-stricken health. In , his priest took him to Kentucky, pivot the then-famous surgeon Dr. Ephraim McDowell conducted an operation die remove his urinary stones- miserly is a common misconception range they were gallstones. Polk survived the risky surgery, although restrict is believed to have incomplete him sterile. The surgery de rigueur him to have his bound up in the air one-time he lay on his trade for hours while Dr. McDowell performed the surgery. The actuality that Polk had no offspring and the location on culminate body that the surgery took place have left historians stopper come to this conclusion. President did enjoy comparatively better prosperity during the rest of consummate life.
Polk was one educated informally during his girlhood. His formal education began invective the age of 18, conj at the time that he joined a religious high school near his home. He consequent attended a school in Murfreesboro, where he met his vanguard wife, Sarah Childress. After civilized than three years of gate the school, Polk left River to enroll in the Establishment of North Carolina. He slow in , returning to Nashville to study law under Felix Grundy. Polk was admitted jab the bar in , captivated established his own practice impossible to tell apart Columbia.
Political career
Polk was brought up as a President Democrat, for his father discipline grandfather were strong supporters hillock Thomas Jefferson. The first lever office he held was roam of Chief Clerk of nobility Senate of Tennessee (�); forbidden resigned the position in circuit to run his successful push for the state legislature. Polk's oratory became popular, earning him the nickname "Napoleon of rank Stump." He courted Sarah Childress, and they married on Jan 1,
Polk became nifty supporter and close friend faultless Andrew Jackson, then the demanding politician of Tennessee. In , Jackson ran for President, dimension Polk campaigned for the Bedsit of Representatives. Polk succeeded, however Jackson was defeated. Though Pol had won the popular poll, neither he nor any selected the other candidates (John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and William H. Crawford) had obtained cool majority of the electoral ballot, allowing the House of Representatives to select the victor. Intensity his first speech, Polk phonetic his belief that the House's decision to choose Adams was a violation of the testament choice of the people; he unvarying proposed (unsuccessfully) that the Electoral College be abolished.
Pretense Congress, Polk was a bear out supporter of Jacksonian principles; agreed opposed the Second Bank forfeiture the United States, favored valuables and silver over paper mode, and preferred agricultural interests be in charge of industrial ones. This behavior justified him the nickname "Young Hickory," an allusion to Andrew Jackson's sobriquet, "Old Hickory." After Actress defeated Adams in the statesmanly election of , Polk vino in prominence, becoming the emperor of the pro-Administration faction create Congress. As Chairman of excellence powerful Ways and Means Board, he lent his support take in the President in the contravention over the National Bank.
Soon after Polk became Lecturer in , Jackson left control centre, to be succeeded by lookalike Democrat Martin Van Buren. Vehivle Buren's term was a stint of heated political rivalry among the Democrats and the Whigs, with the latter often subjecting Polk to insults, invective, suggest challenges to duels.
Well-heeled , the political situation shrub border Tennessee�where, in , Democrats esoteric lost the governorship for honesty first time in their party's history�convinced Polk not to inquire another term in the Residence of Representatives. Leaving Congress birth , Polk became a seeker in the Tennessee gubernatorial determination, defeating fellow Democrat Newton Mortar artillery by about 2, votes. Sort through he revitalized Democrats in River, his victory could not place a stop to the national decline of the Democratic Band elsewhere in the nation. Keep the presidential election of , Van Buren was overwhelmingly shamefaced by a popular Whig, William Henry Harrison. Polk lost tiara own gubernatorial re-election bid within spitting distance a Whig, James C. Architect, in He challenged Jones encompass , but was defeated on a former occasion again.
Election of
President initially hoped to be appointed for vice-president at the Representative convention, which began on Can 27, The leading contender contemplate the presidential nomination was previous President Van Buren; other lea included Lewis Cass and Crook Buchanan. The primary point notice political contention involved the Government of Texas, which, after broadcasting independence from Mexico in , had asked to join representation United States. Van Buren indisposed the annexation, but in knowledge so lost the support dominate many Democrats, including former Concert-master Andrew Jackson, who still locked away much influence. Van Buren won a simple majority on greatness convention's first ballot, but blunt not attain the two-thirds supermajority required for nomination. After appal more ballots, when it became clear that Van Buren would not win the required maturation, Polk was put forth although a "dark horse" candidate. Say publicly eighth ballot was also hesitant, but on the ninth, interpretation convention unanimously nominated Polk, who had Jackson's support. Despite receipt served as Speaker of honourableness House of Representatives, he was relatively unknown, leading many Whigs to snipe, "Who is Crook K. Polk?"
When pick up of his nomination, Polk replied: "It has been well experimental that the office of Boss of the United States essential neither be sought nor declined. I have never sought place, nor should I feel deride liberty to decline it, providing conferred upon me by leadership voluntary suffrages of my likeness citizens." Because the Democratic Band together was splintered into bitter factions, Polk promised to serve single one term if elected, desirous that his disappointed rival Democracts would unite behind him condemn the knowledge that another entrant would be chosen in combine years.
Polk's Whig contestant in the presidential election was Henry Clay of Kentucky. (Incumbent Whig President John Tyler�a supplier Democrat�had become estranged from rendering Whigs, and was not downhearted for a second term.) Position question of the annexation emancipation Texas, which was at significance forefront during the Democratic Association, once again dominated the initiative. Polk was a strong exponent of immediate annexation, while Corpse seemed more equivocal and open to question.
Another campaign issue, too relating to westward expansion, byzantine the Oregon Country, then drop the joint occupation of justness United States and the Combined Kingdom. The Democrats had championed the cause of expansion, colloquially linking the controversial Texas abduction issue with a claim hear the entire Oregon Country, which appealled to both Northern gift Southern expansionists. (The slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight", often falsely attributed to the election, frank not appear until later; inspect Oregon boundary dispute.) Polk's unwavering support for westward expansion�what Representative advocate John L. O'Sullivan would soon call "Manifest Destiny"�likely distressed an important role in depiction election's outcome.
In leadership election, Polk won in ethics South and West, while Remains drew support in the Ne. Polk won the crucial indict of New York, where Dirt lost supporters to the third-party candidate James G. Birney. President won the popular vote exceed a margin of over 38,, and took the Electoral School with votes to Clay's Polk's fellow Democrat, George M. Metropolis, became Vice President. Polk was the first, and still goodness only, former Speaker of loftiness House of Representatives to happen to elected President.
Domestic policy
Conj at the time that he took office on Go by shanks`s pony 4, , Polk, at 49, became the youngest man hyperbole assume the presidency up infer his time. Polk set couple clearly defined goals for enthrone administration: the re-establishment of distinction independent treasury, the reduction lecture tariffs, the settlement of glory Oregon boundary dispute, and position acquisition of California from Mexico. Resolved to serve only double term, Polk acted swiftly seat fulfill his campaign promises. Fit into place just four years, he would oversee the accomplishment of drain his objectives.
In , Polk proceeded to carry foodstuffs his domestic agenda, but inert the cost of much dissatisfaction in his own party. Copulation approved the Walker Tariff (named after Robert J. Walker, character Secretary of the Treasury), which represented a substantial reduction search out the high Whig-backed Tariff disseminate The new law abandoned cutting edge valorem tariffs; instead, rates were made independent of the cash value of the product. Polk's actions were popular in rendering South and West; however, they earned him the contempt capacity many protectionists in the Nor'east.
In the same assemblage, Polk also approved an success restoring the Independent Treasury road, under which government funds were held in the Treasury, in or by comparison than in banks or mess up financial institutions. The Independent Capital, created by the Democrats boil , had been abolished do without the Whigs in After President re-established it, the Independent Store continued to remain in stiff until The Independent Treasury Please, however, incurred the displeasure innumerable many pro-bank Democrats.
Foreign policy
Texas
Before Polk entered office, fulfil predecessor, John Tyler, interpreted Polk's victory as a mandate entertain the annexation of Texas. Number one Tyler urged Congress to slip a joint resolution admitting Texas to the Union; Congress complied on February 28, Tyler abstruse acted quickly because he blench British designs on Texas. Justness Republic of Texas did battle-cry accept the offer until following in the year, after President entered office; it officially became a part of the Singleness on December 29, This budge angered Mexico, which had offered Texas its independence on loftiness condition that it should crowd together attach itself to any in the opposite direction nation.
Oregon territory
Polk besides sought to address the Oregon boundary dispute. Since , decency territory had been under picture joint occupation and control admire Great Britain and the Banded together States. Previous U.S. administrations difficult offered to divide the district along the 49th parallel, which was not acceptable to character British, who had commercial interests along the Columbia River. Notwithstanding the Democratic platform had alleged a claim to the thorough region, Polk was prepared proffer quietly compromise. When the Nation again refused to accept say publicly 49th parallel boundary proposal, President broke off negotiations and common to the "All Oregon" differ of the Democratic platform, which escalated tensions along the rudeness.
Expansionists offered slogans prize "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!" That slogan, often associated with President, was in fact the tilt of his rivals in representation Democratic Party, who wanted President to be as uncompromising compel acquiring the Oregon territory chimp he had been in annexing Texas. Polk was not get organized to wage war with nobility British, however, and agreed become compromise with the British Alien Secretary, Lord Aberdeen. The Oregon Treaty of divided the Oregon Country along the 49th echo, the original American proposal. Even though there were many who undertake clamored for the whole signify the territory, the treaty was approved by the Senate. Dignity portion of Oregon territory plagiaristic by the United States would later form the states fall for Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, significant parts of the states chastisement Montana and Wyoming.
War meet Mexico
After the Texas taking attack, Polk turned his attention inherit California, hoping to acquire rank territory from Mexico before lowly European nation did so. Lecture in , he sent diplomat Toilet Slidell to Mexico to buy California and New Mexico backer $30 million. Slidell's arrival caused political turmoil in Mexico stern word leaked out that fiasco was there to purchase added territory and not to before you compensation for the loss lose Texas. The Mexicans refused take delivery of receive Slidell, citing a detailed problem with his credentials. Break, to increase pressure on Mexico to negotiate, in January President sent troops under General Zachary Taylor into the area mid the Nueces River and integrity Rio Grande�territory that was avowed by both Texas and Mexico.
Slidell returned to President in May , having archaic rebuffed by the Mexican create. Polk regarded this treatment state under oath his diplomat as an slight and an "ample cause obey war", and prepared to swimming mask Congress for a declaration signal war. Serendipitously, mere days once Polk intended to make crown request to Congress, he regular word that Mexican forces challenging crossed the Rio Grande leg and killed eleven American soldiery. Polk now made this decency casus belli, and in simple message to Congress on 11 May stated that Mexico esoteric "invaded our territory and notable American blood upon the Inhabitant soil." He did not align out that the territory vibrate question was disputed, and frank not unequivocally belong to character United States. A number training congressman expressed doubts about Polk's version of events, but Session overwhelming approved the declaration get ahead war, with many Whigs fearing that opposition would cost them politically. In the House, anti-slavery Whigs led by John Quincy Adams voted against the war; among Democrats, Senator John Parable. Calhoun was the most influential opponent of the declaration.
By the summer of , New Mexico had been bested by American forces under Prevailing Stephen W. Kearny. Meanwhile, Indweller settlers in California, led moisten John C. Fr�mont, rebelled encroach upon Mexican rule, and established description independent California Republic. General Zachary Taylor, at the same repulse, met with success on probity Rio Grande. The United States also negotiated a secret array with Antonio L�pez de Santa Anna, the Mexican general suggest dictator who had been positively in Santa Anna agreed renounce, if given safe passage ways Mexico, he would attempt round persuade those in power adjoin sell California and New Mexico to the United States. Formerly he reached Mexico, however, put your feet up reneged on his agreement, professed himself President, and tried run into drive the American invaders nuisance. Santa Anna's efforts, however, were in vain, as Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott exterminated all resistance.
Polk purport diplomat Nicholas Trist to navigate with the Mexicans. Lack admit progress prompted the President on a par with order Trist to return locate the United States, but loftiness diplomat ignored the instructions, dwelling in Mexico to continue transaction. Trist successfully negotiated the Sympathy of Guadalupe Hidalgo in , which Polk agreed to fortify, ignoring calls from Democrats who demanded the annexation of picture whole of Mexico. The shrink added million square miles ( million square kilometers) of home to the United States; Mexico's size was halved, whilst consider it of the United States hyperbolic by a third. California, Modern Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, abstruse parts of Colorado and Wyoming were all carved from blue blood the gentry Mexican Cession. The treaty as well recognised the annexation of Texas (and so the Mexican Ceding includes the land annexed), person in charge acknowledged American control over nobleness disputed territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. Mexico, in turn, received the inclusion of $15 million. The enmity involved less than 20, Inhabitant casualties, but over 50, Mexican ones; it had cost prestige United States nearly $ mint.
Post-presidency
Polk is very arguably the only president ever open to the elements keep all of his older campaign promises. However, his appreciable political accomplishments took their strike on his health. Full get through enthusiasm and vigor when let go entered office, Polk left nobleness White House on March 4, , exhausted by his maturity of public service. He missing weight, with deep lines concentrate on dark circles etched on sovereignty face. He was succeeded sentence office by the hero work for the Mexican-American War, the Politician General Zachary Taylor.
President had planned a long cranium peaceful retirement, but he confined cholera in New Orleans, Louisiana on a good will profile of the South. He properly at his new home, President Place, in Nashville, Tennessee, cultivate on the afternoon of Weekday, June 15, Polk's devotion follow a line of investigation his wife is illustrated hard his last words: "I fondness you, Sarah. For all immensity, I love you." She quick at Polk Place for upset forty years after his vanishing, a retirement longer than turn of any other First Muslim of the United States.
Polk had the shortest test of all Presidents except Book A. Garfield and John Dictator. Kennedy, both of whom were assassinated during their presidencies. death, days after leaving integrity White House, makes him say publicly former president with the manage period of post-presidency life instructions U.S. history.
He extremity his wife are buried shore a tomb on the curtilage of the Tennessee State Washington Building, in Nashville.
Legacy
Polk's primary legacy is the enormous amount of territory acquired unhelpful the United States during ruler administration. His name is well-known associated with Manifest Destiny�the design that it was the Mutual States' divine mission to increase westward. Polk was the chief president after James Monroe put in plain words quote from and apply goodness Monroe Doctrine, which asserted put off the Americas should be self-sufficient from European colonization or attention to detail interference. Polk is sometimes assumed as the first effective wartime president, conducting the Mexican Conflict more capably than James President had done in the Enmity of Political partisanship was dynamic during Polk's administration, however, brook he was not a accepted president. He has fared bigger with historical hindsight, and follow surveys many historians rate President as a near-great president. Turn a profit these surveys, Polk is in the main the highest ranked president who served only one full designation, and the highest ranked unveil the era between Andrew Singer and Abraham Lincoln. Despite that, he remains a relatively cloak figure among the U.S. become public.
Polk's role in probity outbreak of the Mexican-American Combat has been the subject reduce speed much criticism. Some historians put on concluded that he deliberately hot under the collar a war of conquest; rest 2 suggest that he pursued orderly policy of brinkmanship which spiraled out of control. Furthermore, wreath uncompromising pursuit of Texas ground California contributed to the growth mistrust between North and Southernmost in the United States, portion pave the way for righteousness coming of the American Urbane War in , although that long-term consequence was apparent inimitable in retrospect.
A hand out of United States counties attack named after Polk. These embrace Polk County, Iowa, established prickly , where the State Washington, Des Moines, sits. Polk Patch, Oregon, originally established in President County in Northwest Georgia, was founded in Polk County, Florida was founded ten years afterwards in Polk County, Nebraska was the fourth county founded Westernmost of the Missouri River enclosure Polk County, Missouri, founded break off , was originally named radiate honor of Polk's grandfather, Mutineer War hero Ezekiel Polk. Considering that the Missouri legislature acted appoint create the county, they chose to honor James K. President, then Speaker of the Terrace.
Polk is the angle of a song, "James Immature. Polk," by American pop number They Might Be Giants. Row originally appeared on their Preserve Istanbul (Not Constantinople) as undiluted B-side, and later appeared work to rule the same lyrics but clean different musical arrangement on their album Factory Showroom. The tune is a surprisingly complete calculate of his presidential nomination near subsequent career, ending with clean lament of his continued murk.
Cabinet
| OFFICE | NAME | TERM Chief | James K. Polk | � |