James Knox Polk

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James Knox Polk

James Knox Polk was born on November 2, 1795, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Polk died on June 15, 1849, in Nashville, Tennessee. Nicknamed "Young Hickory" he was the 11th president and served from March 4, 1845 to March 3, 1849. Polk was being a lawyer and a Colonel in the military. Then in 1823 he was a member of Tennessee House of Representatives. In 1825 he became a member of U.S. House of Representatives. He was the Speaker of the House in 1835. Next he was elected Governor of Tennessee, in 1839. James' parents were Samuel Polk and Jane Knox Polk and he married Sarah Childress on January 1, 1824. Knox ran for President, as the democratic nominee, in 1844 against Henry Clay. Clay got 1,300,097 (popular vote) and 105 (electoral vote). Polk won with 1,338,464 (popular vote) and 170 (electoral vote). During his presidency he settled with Britain the dispute of the Oregon Territory.

As well he was president during the Mexican-American War. It was from this that America gained California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. He strong supported the idea of Manifest Destiny" and acquired the most land for the United States since the Louisiana Purchase. A domestic achievement of his was signing the Walker Tariff, which lowered tariff rates into law. The Whitehouse had gaslights install while he was a resident. His wife, Sarah, hosted the first Whitehouse Thanksgiving dinner and privately helped him write his speeches and gave him advice. Sarah also banned dancing, card playing, and alcoholic beverages in the Whitehouse because she was a devout Presbyterian. Polk was the first President to voluntarily retire after one term and was the first President to have his inauguration reported by telegraph. Also James Knox Polk...