#11 – James K. Polk

#11 – James K. PolkBorn: November 2,

1795Birthplace:

Mecklenberg County, North Carolina

Term: 1845-49Political Party:

DemocratChildren: noneDied: June 15, 1849

#11 – James K. Polk1815: attended the University of

North Carolina.1818: graduated the top of his

class.1818-20: Studied law and

admitted to the bar (lawyer). Moves to Tennessee.

Jan. 1, 1824: Married Sarah Childress

1823-25: member of the state legislature in Tennessee.

1825-39: elected a U.S. representative from Tennessee.

#11 – James K. Polk1835-39: Speaker of the

House of Representatives1839-41: Governor of

Tennessee1845-49: Elected the 11th

President of the United States.

Offers to purchase California and New Mexico for 25 million dollars, Mexico refuses.

Border dispute – Mexico believed that the border of US and Mexico was the Nueces river. The US believes it was the Rio Grande.

1846-48: Mexican - American War: Commander in Chief during the Mexican War.

General Zachary Taylor defeats Mexican army at the Battle of Buena Vista.

Polk was afraid that Taylor was getting to popular so he demoted him and placed General Winfield Scott to replace him.

March 1847: Battle of Mexico City – 10,000 troops and marched to Mexico City. A fierce battle took place where the US was outnumbered. However, US troops were victorious.

1846: Oregon Country: Britain and the US agree to split the Oregon Territory. The US and Canadian border will remain at the 49 parallel line.

1846: Wilmot Proviso. Does not allow slavery in any territories taken form Mexico. Passed the House but not the Senate. This shows the country is divided over slavery.

1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed – ends the Mexican War

1848: Mexican Cession: Mexico was persuaded to give the US California, Nevada, Utah, as well as parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming for 15 million dollars.

1849: resigns as President 1849:Dies only three months

after he resigns as President – Heart Failure

Interesting Facts:1845: Boundary dispute with Mexico –

should the border be the Rio Grande or the Nueces River?

1845: U.S. Naval Academy established at Annapolis, Maryland.

1846: U.S declares war with Mexico1846: Oregon country dispute solved1846: Wilmot Proviso passed - does not

allow slavery in the new territories taken from the Republic of Mexico.

1846: Sewing machine invented – Richard Hoe, U.S.

1846: rotary printing press invented – Richard Hoe.

1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed - ends the Mexican War

1848: Mexican Cession: costs 15,000,000 dollars.

1847: Mormons settle Salt Lake City, Utah.

1848: Gold discovered in CaliforniaStates admitted:1845 – Texas – slave state1846 – Iowa – free state1848 – Wisconsin – free state30 states in the Union (half slave

and half free)