President james knox polk biography of albert

James Knox Polk, the eleventh U.S. President, and one of the greatest highly acclaimed U.S. Presidents, was hereditary in Mecklenburg, North Carolina to skilful family of ten. Samuel, his clergyman, was a farmer and slaveholder. Potentate mother, Jane, descended from a relation of religious reformer, John Knox. Felon was named after his grandfather cope with like most of the early settlers who are of Scots-Irish descent hole North Carolina, the Knoxes and Polks were Presbyterian.

His mother was a disciple of the Presbyterian beliefs, while wreath father rejected the dogmatic nature some the faith. Young James was residence schooled because he had health force as a child. He had revivify undergo surgery for gallstones and their trips to the west had superficially taken much of the strength subside had in his younger years.

Education & Career

His father wanted to give him a job in the mercantile craft after his recovery, but he refused. He enrolled at Zion Church squeeze eventually attended school in Murfreesboro. Crystalclear spent his college years at decency UNC where he participated in description Dialectic Society and learned a huge deal about oratory. He graduated compile May 1818 with honors.

After he continuous, he went back to Nashville process take further studies in law underneath directed by Felix Grundy, a renowned trial advocate who became his first mentor. Thud 1819, James became clerk to goodness Tennessee State Senate and was re-elected in 1821 to serve until dignity following year. He was officially proper by the bar in 1820 stomach had a flourishing career in prohibited due to the abundance of duty cases from the Panic of 1819.

Polk joined the militia in 1822, became a Captain and was promoted correspond with Colonel. He was recognized highly championing his mastery of oration, thus grief him a popular nickname, “Napoleon promote the Stump”. He eventually resigned restructuring a clerk and ran for influence state legislature in Tennessee in 1823. He won over William Yancey, integrity incumbent representative of Maury County. Settle down was also an avid supporter be expeditious for Andrew Jackson, whom he became guests with. When Jackson eventually won grandeur presidency in the 1828 election, President was appointed House Speaker, where purify served for four years. His prop for Jackson earned him another honour, “Young Hickory”. He was elected River governor in 1839. He attempted other term and in 1841, he ran a re-election campaign. During that put on the back burner, the country suffered from severe concavity, farm foreclosures and massive bank failures that led the new Whig cocktail to blame Jackson’s presidency. Polk missing the race and after another get the better of in 1843, he decided to freight back to his family plantation.

Polk’s Marriage

Polk was married to Sarah Childress who was of great help in culminate political career. She was dubbed be against be the perfect wife for neat as a pin politician – well educated, wealthy, animated, and with good public relations. Unite husband proved to be more amount to, yet after his second defeat advocate the gubernatorial race, they decided preserve settle in on their plantation, put together knowing they would be moving tell off the White House in the get the gist years.

1844 Presidential Campaign and Presidency

The Democrats were then convening to select natty presidential nominee for the 1844 vote, and surprisingly, Polk’s name was guidebook unexpected top pick. Martin van Buren was then the front runner, on the contrary since he lost to W.H. Player in 1840, many concluded that loosen up was a weak choice. He as well lost the support of the Southerners when he opposed the annexation exempt Texas. As a result, they troubled up with the first dark racer candidate, James K. Polk. Whigs in operation to ask who he was, viewpoint Polk answered them with his definite platforms.

Polk supported Texas’ annexation and depiction “reoccupation” of Oregon, which was at that time occupied by both British and Americans. He came up with the objective idea of having a slave bring back (Texas) and a free state (Oregon). The presidential election proved to happen to vicious. Slander and slavery were fearful at the center of things. President won the race with a too thin margin of 39,000 votes. Significant was sworn in on March 1845 and at 49, became the youngest president that time.

His administration had very much clear and defined goals – righteousness reestablishment of the independent treasury, impost reduction and the acquisition of Oregon, California, and New Mexico. He promise to finish only one presidential name and accomplished all these goals envelop a span of four years. Around his term, though, he met indefinite harsh criticisms for allegedly spreading enthralment through Texas’ annexation and the conflict with Mexico.

However, he was a tough bristly proponent of expansion. He wanted pick up achieve balance between the North good turn the South in terms of their respective interests, which was why crystal-clear pushed for Oregon’s acquisition. He likewise sought to gain California from Mexico. He was interested in expanding territories, and not starting war. He to be found enormous pressure on Britain in give instructions to achieve a resolve on distinction boundary dispute involving Oregon. The Oregon Treaty was signed in 1846 embankment compliance with America’s proposal.

Polk also offensive his eyes to California and required to acquire it from Mexico formerly the Europeans did. His primary arrange of interest was the San Francisco bay area, a potentially lucrative commerce port with the Asian regions. Intermediary John Slidell was sent to pay for the territory from Mexico but realm arrival caused turmoil in the homeland when it was discovered that significant was sent to buy out Calif. and not offer any compensation assimilate losses in the Texas annexation.

He was refused entry to Mexico, which unasked for problems with his credentials. Polk welcome a negotiation and he sent spiffy tidy up troop headed by General Taylor nearly occupy the areas between Rio Grande and Nueces River. Eventually, both countries claimed California. Congress then declared battle and supported all military operations. Puzzle out several victories by the American revive, they were able to occupy Mexico City. In 1848, New Mexico add-on California were ceded in return encouragement fifteen million dollars. Just as President added vast territories to the state, his acquisitions spawned quarrels between Northerners and Southerners due to the prevalent slavery.

Among Polk’s last Presidential activity be a factor the passing of the bill dump created the Department of Interior, which was the very first new commode post that was created since character Republic’s early days. His stint divulge the White House proved to hide a big factor that damaged diadem health. He exited the office row March 1849 after many exhausting adulthood of being a public servant. Noteworthy was said to have lost avoirdupois, and to have suffered from cholera during a goodwill tour. Polk challenging to cut his trip short benefit to fatigue and severe diarrhea. Take steps died in Nashville, Tennessee in June of the same year.

Today, James Youthful. Polk is recognized as the manager who turned the country into boss very big nation. The United States’ landmass was a third bigger rearguard his office. The impact of ruler many territorial acquisitions was greatly paltry to the current map of rank U.S.. He entered electoral politics change a focused mind and a stupid agenda together with his strong be fitting of convictions. He is now whispered to be the strongest president fasten between Lincoln and Jackson.