James K. Polk

11th President of the United States

Years in Office: 1845-1849

Party: Democratic

Did you know?

James K. Polk had a fascination with frogs and kept them in the White House gardens, entertaining children and visitors with his unusual interest in the amphibious creatures during his presidency.

James K. Polk

James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States, served from 1845 to 1849. Born in 1795 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Polk was a Democrat known for his strong commitment to manifest destiny and expansionism. During his presidency, he achieved several significant goals, including the annexation of Texas, the settlement of the Oregon boundary dispute with Britain, and the acquisition of the territories of California and New Mexico through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War.

Polk was a disciplined and focused leader who adhered to a four-point agenda known as the "Four Pillars of Polk." His presidency was marked by territorial expansion and a commitment to the idea of a continental United States. However, his expansionist policies were not without controversy, particularly the war with Mexico, which some saw as an unjust aggression. Polk declined to seek re-election and died shortly after leaving office in 1849. Despite his short time in office, James K. Polk left a lasting impact on the territorial and economic development of the United States.