In the words of the former President, “Well may the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend on our country’s peace and prosperity..,” (James K. Polk). Why was his presidency so influential? Polk accomplished without hardly any hardships—the objectives many presidents couldn’t succeed. A man who accomplished it all in one term. His accomplishments still do not go unrecognized, and reporters state that “his triumphant record once led historians to call Polk’s presidency an impressive success,”(Wilent). James Polk’s presidency ranged from 1845-1849, and he ran under the Democratic party. Polk was hugely proficient during his time in office; navigating the country into conquering …show more content…
He also felt that it was his duty by the Universe’s ruler to aid and protect the land granted to him to serve. "Assuming responsibilities so vast I fervently invoke the aid of that Almighty Ruler of the Universe in whose hands are the destinies of nations and of men to guard this Heaven-favored land,”(James K. Polk, Inaugural Address, 1845). During Polk’s administration, the U.S had been threatened by European nations to intervene in American affairs—which was not the terms of the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine emphasized that European nations were to stay out of affairs within the western hemisphere. Seeing the United States was becoming its own independent power, they wanted to be recognized as so. Prior to the Oregon Treaty negotiated by Polk and Britain, the territory was undisputed. Britain had harbored their warships on the California harbors. That was one of many threats made by a European power. Another defiance against the Monroe Doctrine had to do with France when it tried to protectorate independent; former Mexican territory. President Polk felt that he had to emphasize once more that European nations needed to stay out of the western hemisphere for their own benefit to prevent war. He cushioned the western hemisphere during his presidency by reissuing the message of the Monroe Doctrine. He felt it was his duty to secure his nation’s powers, as well as securing the
Monroe achieved in preserving and furthering the liberty Americans strived for, as well as expanding the size of the U.S. By signing the Florida Purchase Treaty, Monroe managed to gain Spanish Florida as well as setting a larger border by signing the Treaty of 1818. In addition to broadening America’s border’s, James’s legendary Monroe Doctrine boosted America’s freedom and stature to a great extent. The Monroe Doctrine made a great change to America’s foreign policy - it declared an end to European nations colonizing or interfering with states in North or South
James Knox Polk: November 2, 1795 – June 15, 1849 (President 1845-1849) Polk was born in North Carolina in 1795 to Samuel and Jane Polk. He was well educated and even graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina in 1818. Before becoming President Polk studied law, worked as a clerk for the Tennessee Senate, served in Tennessee Militia, served in Congress, Speaker of the House, Governor of Tennessee and ran for United States Vice President during the 1844 election and ended up being nominated or the Presidential position. He emerged with the nickname ‘dark horse’ because many voters were unfamiliar with him.
Polk ability to negotiate with other countries like england and new mexico and get Oregon and California this demonstrates why he is viewed as a successful president. But to gain Texas the United States had to fight mexico in a 2 year war from 1846-48 which the united states did end up winning but despite winning Texas this would prove to be a problem with the north and south fighting over the southern land. Polk made an Oregon treaty which made Polk able to gain land that he did not even have to go to war for and diplomatically settled a border dispute gaining land which is now known as today Washington Idaho Montana and Wyoming. “Foreign powers do not seem to appreciate the true character of our government” - James Polk this speaks out about the character of the U.S government and how they are driven to gain more land as a country .Situations like these are one of the many reasons James Polk is viewed as the most successful presidents of all
During Theodore Roosevelts presidency, his interests were focused on foreign affairs. Roosevelt helped prevent Europe from controlling the rest of the western territories, like how Britain tried to control the early American colonies. The “Roosevelt Corollary” allowed the U.S to stay in control of the Western hemisphere. His addition to the Monroe Doctrine helped American imperialism rise and expand. At the turn of the 20th century, his addition helped shape the nation that it is today.
James Knox Polk was born November 2, 1795, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Polk was most known for successfully defeating the Mexicans in the Mexican War. Polk was also the 11th president of the United States. When Polk was young, he lived in North Carolina with his father, Samuel Polk, and his mother, Jane Polk. James was the oldest of his nine siblings.
Who was Andrew Jackson and why is he significant? Andrew Jackson served two presidential terms in the United States of America from March 1824 to March 1832. In fact, Andrew Jackson was the most effective president of all time as he helped the U.S. to acquire new lands, successfully served as Major General in numerous wars, passed meaningful and useful Acts and contributed to the solutions of many issues during the time of 1820s and 1830s. Some of the most vital contributions made by Andrew Jackson as Major General before his presidency were the numerous victories in many wars from 1810s to 1820s. Andrew Jackson’s presidential campaign was also the cause for birth of the modern Two-Party system, according to M. J. Birkner, Gettysburg College,
President James K Polk massively believed in the Manifest Destiny, the belief that the American people had a duty to expand westward across North America. This idea sparked a fire that believe it or not most didn’t want. The result: The Mexican-America war. While the war gained America five different states and was one of the largest territorial expansions in United States history, many critics believed that America was headed down a bad path. That we were going to end up like most great conquerors in the world, dead or with innocent blood on our hands that God will never forgive us for.
In 1818, the United States and Britain set a joint claim over the Oregon Territory, this was also the region known as the west of the Rocky Mountains. Fifty-Four Forty refers to the line of latitude that served as the northern most boundary of Oregon at 54°40'. In 1884, the democratic party nominated an unfamiliar candidate in the presidential election by the name of James K. Polk. In his opposition was a very well known politically acclaimed figure, Henry Clay. Despite the odds stacked against him, he was and excellent strategist and realized that the idea of manifest destiny and the public's view towards expansion would be the key to his success.
The United states was longing to annex,or take land into a country, California. One reason the Mexican War was justified
Grover thrived in Politics and in office, known for taking on any task he faced, which pushed him to be elected for President in 1884. Democrats are very fond of Grover Cleveland because they like his influential and independent personality. Clevalenad was known for his conservative fiscal policies, mostly his opposition to government subsidies and tariffs. He also commonly worked to reform the civil service system and vetoed many bills that he found to be unconstitutional or a waste of time/space in government. Grover Clevealnd is mainly known for being the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms, after being the first democrat elected after the civil war.
History students and fanatics alike might know James K. Polk by his famously quoted goals during his one term presidency. These four goals, first mentioned by historian George Bancroft, have been thought of as James K Polk’s legacy and rewritten by many other historians. The mystery of the origin of this myth has been debunked, but the great measures remain the popular story of Polk’s presidency. Although thought of as a given fact, Tom Chaffin pulls into question the legitimacy of the anecdote in his book Met His Every Goal?: James K. Polk and The Legends of Manifest Destiny, by discrediting the source of the message.
After graduation, he found work with a very successful trial attorney in Nashville. His work involving politics began in 1823 when he joined the Tennessee legislature where he also first met Andrew Jackson. Polk served seven terms in congress between 1825 and 1839 before becoming president. Following his presidential election in 1828, Polk became Andrew Jackson’s greatest
At the end of the War Mexico had to ceced 55% of its land, and therefore the United States gained 520,000 square miles. The second event where Polk gained a good amount of land was the Oregon Treaty. This was a deal between the United States and Britain, where the United States wanted to have all the land in the Oregon region, instead of splitting it with Britain. James Polk was even willing to go to war with Great Britain again, in order to gain this land. After the treaty was signed the United States gained all the land in the Oregon Territory with the exception of Vancouver
At the beginning of his presidency, Monroe signed the Treaty of 1818 with Britain to establish the boundary between Canada and the United States at the 49th parallel. Without the Treaty of 1818, the United State’s relationship with Britain wouldn’t be as
This principle served to protect the newly independent Latin America states as well as any future United States colonies against European powers. Despite the assertions, a major weakness of the Monroe Doctrine is that it had no standing in international law. It was merely a declaration sent by the American president to Congress. Because of its lack of legitimacy, none of the European nations recognized the validity of the document. The Russians later controlled Alaska and claimed to own the Oregon Territory was well.