President James Polk

Easton Press James Polk books

James K. Polk - 2 volumes - Charles Seller - 1987

Vol. 1 - Jacksonian 1795 - 1843
Vol. 2 - Continentalist 1843 - 1846
The Presidency of James K. Polk - Paul Bergeron - 1991
James K. Polk Biography - Eugene Irving McCormac - 2002

 

 

President James Polk biography

James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States, left an indelible mark on American history during his single term in office from 1845 to 1849. Born on November 2, 1795, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Polk emerged as a prominent figure in American politics during a time of territorial expansion and sectional tensions. Polk's political career was characterized by his commitment to the principles of Manifest Destiny and his determination to expand the boundaries of the United States to the Pacific Ocean. As a member of the Democratic Party, he served as Governor of Tennessee and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives before winning the presidency in 1844.

One of the defining achievements of Polk's presidency was the annexation of Texas, which he pursued as part of his broader vision for westward expansion. Under his leadership, the United States also acquired vast territories through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. Polk's presidency was also marked by his efforts to address domestic issues, including banking reform and tariff reduction. He championed the concept of a "low tariff for revenue only," which aimed to reduce tariffs on imported goods while maintaining sufficient revenue for the federal government. Despite his accomplishments, Polk's presidency was not without controversy. His aggressive expansionist policies and support for slavery expansion fueled tensions between North and South, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War.

Polk chose not to seek re-election in 1848 and retired to his home in Nashville, Tennessee, shortly after leaving office. Tragically, he passed away just three months later on June 15, 1849, at the age of 53. James K. Polk's presidency is remembered as a transformative period in American history, characterized by territorial expansion, economic growth, and the assertion of American power on the world stage. His legacy continues to be studied and debated by historians, reflecting his enduring impact on the nation he served with distinction.

The Presidency of James K. Polk

The Presidency of James K. Polk by Paul Bergeron is a compelling exploration of the life and political career of the 11th President of the United States. Bergeron, a respected historian, offers readers a comprehensive analysis of Polk's presidency, highlighting its key events, policies, and impact on American history.

James Knox Polk, born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, on November 2, 1795, emerged as a prominent figure in American politics during a time of territorial expansion and sectional tensions. Elected as President in 1844, Polk's administration was defined by his ambitious agenda to fulfill America's "Manifest Destiny" by extending the nation's boundaries to the Pacific Ocean. Bergeron's biography delves into Polk's efforts to achieve his expansionist goals, including the annexation of Texas, the Oregon boundary dispute with Britain, and the Mexican-American War. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Bergeron sheds light on the challenges Polk faced in pursuing his agenda and the broader implications of his actions for the nation.

The Presidency of James K. Polk also examines Polk's domestic policies, including his efforts to lower tariffs, reform the banking system, and establish the Department of the Interior. Bergeron offers readers a nuanced understanding of Polk's leadership style, his relationship with Congress, and his impact on the institution of the presidency. As with any biography, Bergeron's work provides readers with a deeper appreciation of Polk's character, accomplishments, and shortcomings. The Presidency of James K. Polk is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of American politics during the mid-19th century and the legacy of one of its most consequential leaders.

James K. Polk by Eugene Irving McCormac

James K. Polk is a comprehensive biography that offers readers a detailed and insightful exploration of the life and presidency of the 11th President of the United States. McCormac, a respected historian, delves into the complexities of Polk's character, his political career, and his enduring impact on American history. James Knox Polk emerged as a key figure in American politics during a time of territorial expansion and sectional tensions. Elected President in 1844, Polk's administration was marked by his ambitious agenda to fulfill America's "Manifest Destiny" by extending the nation's boundaries to the Pacific Ocean.

McCormac's biography provides readers with a nuanced understanding of Polk's presidency, highlighting his efforts to achieve his expansionist goals through policies such as the annexation of Texas, the Oregon boundary dispute with Britain, and the Mexican-American War. Through meticulous research and engaging prose, McCormac sheds light on the challenges Polk faced in pursuing his agenda and the broader implications of his actions for the nation. In addition to his foreign policy initiatives, McCormac explores Polk's domestic policies, including his efforts to lower tariffs, reform the banking system, and manage the growing tensions over slavery. McCormac offers readers a vivid portrayal of Polk's leadership style, his relationship with Congress, and his impact on the institution of the presidency.

James K. Polk is a compelling biography that brings to life the complexities of one of America's most consequential leaders. McCormac's insightful analysis and rich historical detail make this book essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the life and legacy of James K. Polk and the transformative era in which he lived.

Jacksonian 1795 - 1843 and Continentalist 1843 - 1846

Writing in the Saturday Review, Charles M. Wiltse described the first volume of James K. Polk as "at once an important contribution to American political history, a fascinating study of the interaction of state and national policies, and an illuminating delineation of the pre-Presidential career of one of our least-known Presidents." This new volume of Professor Sellers' biography begins in 1843, when Polk had just suffered his second defeat for re-election to the governorship of Tennessee. From this low point Polk looked forward to the Democratic nominating convention of 1844, where he ardently sought the vice presidential nomination but came out with the presidency instead.

The first eighteen months of the Polk administration turned out to be one of the most important periods in the history of the United States. Texas was annexed after a ten-year period of independence, the thirty-year dispute with Great Britain over Oregon was settled, and the war with Mexico that was shortly to result in the annexation of California and the Southwest was begun. These months also included the first session of twenty-ninth Congress, which did more in the way of important domestic legislation than any other Congress of the nineteenth century.

James Polk quotes

"With me, it is exceptionally true that the Presidency is no bed of roses."

 

"I prefer to make no new declarations of principles or measures."

 

"An honorable defeat is better than a dishonorable victory."

 

"No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure."

 

"The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government."

 

"No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure."

 

"The Presidential office is a solemn responsibility, requiring the highest integrity and the greatest ability."

 

"I cannot consent to place in the control of others one who cannot control himself."