James K. Polk’s Followers (4)

James K. Polk

Born

in Mecklenburg, North Carolina, The United States

November 02, 1795

Died

June 15, 1849

Genre

Nonfiction

Influences

Andrew Jackson ...more

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James Knox Polk was the eleventh President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849. Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, but mostly lived in and represented the state of Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as Speaker of the House (1835–1839) and Governor of Tennessee (1839–1841) prior to becoming president.

A firm supporter of Andrew Jackson, Polk was the last "strong" pre-American Civil War president. Polk is noted for his foreign policy successes. He threatened war with Britain then backed away and split the ownership of the Northwest with Britain. He is even more famous for leading the successful Mexican–American War. He lowered the tariff and established a treasury system that lasted until 1913. A James Knox Polk was the eleventh President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849. Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, but mostly lived in and represented the state of Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as Speaker of the House (1835–1839) and Governor of Tennessee (1839–1841) prior to becoming president.

A firm supporter of Andrew Jackson, Polk was the last "strong" pre-American Civil War president. Polk is noted for his foreign policy successes. He threatened war with Britain then backed away and split the ownership of the Northwest with Britain. He is even more famous for leading the successful Mexican–American War. He lowered the tariff and established a treasury system that lasted until 1913. A "dark horse" candidate in 1844, he was the first president who retired after one term and did not seek re-election. He died three months after his term ended.

As a Democrat committed to geographic expansion (or "Manifest Destiny"), he overrode Whig objections and was responsible for the second-largest expansion of the nation's territory. Polk secured the Oregon Territory (including Washington, Oregon and Idaho), amounting to about 285,000 square miles (738,000 km²) then purchased 525,000 square miles (1,360,000 km²) through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that ended the Mexican–American War.

The expansion re-opened a furious debate over allowing slavery in the new territories. The controversy was inadequately arbitrated by the Compromise of 1850, and only found its ultimate resolution on the battlefields of the U. S. Civil War. Polk signed the Walker Tariff that brought an era of near free trade to the country until 1861. He oversaw the opening of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Smithsonian, the groundbreaking for the Washington Monument, and the issuance of the first postage stamps in the United States, introduced by his Postmaster General Cave Johnson. He was the first President of the United States to be photographed frequently while in office. Scholars have ranked him 8th to 12th on the list of greatest presidents for his ability to set an agenda and achieve all of it.
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Combine Editions
James K. Polk’s books

Average rating: 4.14 · 59 ratings · 4 reviews · 62 distinct works

	The Diary of James K. Polk 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2008 — 53 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Polk: The Diary of a President 1845-1849 by James K. Polk, Allan Nevins (Editor) 3.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 1910 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	State of the Union Address it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — 17 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Correspondence of James K. Polk, Volume 1: 1817–1832 really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 1969 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents Volume 4, part 3: James Knox Polk it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2009	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fourth State of the Union Address it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Correspondence of James K. Polk, Volume 12, January-July 1847 by James K. Polk, Tom Chaffin (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Michael David Cohen (Goodreads Author) (Editor) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2013	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Correspondence of James K. Polk, Volume 10: July-December 1845 by James K. Polk, James L. Rogers II (Contributor), Wayne Cutler (Contributor) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2004 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Correspondence of James K. Polk, January-August 1844 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 1989	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Correspondence of James K. Polk: Volume 9 January-June 1845 by James K. Polk, Wayne Cutler (Contributor) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 1996 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by James K. Polk…

Series by James K. Polk

Correspondence of James K. Polk (12 books)
by

James K. Polk (Editor)

really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3 ratings

Quotes by James K. Polk (?)

“I love you, Sarah. For all eternity, I love you.”
― James K. Polk

tags: first-lady-of-the-united-states, last-words, love, presidents, sarah-childress-polk

2 likes

“The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government.”
― James K Polk

1 likes

Polls

James K. Polk Poll

This poll will examine the choices for the James K. Polk reading selection which will be the next President covered in the Presidential Series. The order for the Presidents selected was determined by the group membership.

This selection will begin on February 7, 2011 and will continue for three months (February, March and April). This discussion will be led by Bryan who is the Assisting Moderator - Presidential Series.

We have added all of the books nominated on the James K. Polk thread and a few others. However, if you do not see your favorite book on this list; then just comment or pop me a note and I will immediately add it to this poll.

You can always change your vote at any time; so nothing is lost. Some of the Polk books deal with only a certain period of his life, some may be multi-volume (if so- I have added both separately), some deal with other topics too; some are all encompassing, others deal with specific events in Polk's life or presidency and others are by the man, himself.

Before making your selection, please try to look up your choice and make sure it really is a book you are interested in; do not be lured in by the title. Also, check out the author and what others have said about the book before you (reviewers who you trust). Then of course, make your selection.

One other thing: reading some of Polk's diaries and papers would be a great thing; but are these volumes available easily and readily for you. Check to make sure that this is a selection that you can obtain easily.

Bentley

by Walter R. Borneman

10 votes, 58.8%

by Robert W. Merry

4 votes, 23.5%

by William Dusinberre

1 vote, 5.9%

The Diary of James K Polk During His Presidency 1845 to 1849 Now First Printed from the Original Manuscript in the Collections of the Chicago

by

James K. Polk

1 vote, 5.9%

James K. Polk: Jacksonian, 1795-1843 Volume I

by Charles Sellers

1 vote, 5.9%

by John Seigenthaler

0 votes, 0.0%

by Sam W. Haynes

0 votes, 0.0%

by Thomas M. Leonard

0 votes, 0.0%

by Eugene Irving McCormac

0 votes, 0.0%

by Biographiq

0 votes, 0.0%

James K. Polk

0 votes, 0.0%

James K. Polk

0 votes, 0.0%

17 total votes

3 comments

More...

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
The History Book ...: 5. POLK ~ CHAPTERS 9 & 10 (133 - 169) (03/07/11 - 03/17/11) ~ No spoilers, please	16	25	Mar 28, 2011 07:59PM
The History Book ...: 2. POLK ~ CHAPTERS 3 & 4 (37 - 66) (02/14/11 - 02/20/11) ~ No spoilers, please	30	40	Apr 14, 2011 06:25AM
The History Book ...: Military Series: BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM: THE CIVIL WAR ERA - BIBLIOGRAPHY ~ Spoiler Thread	39	125	Jul 24, 2012 07:48AM
The History Book ...: * GETTING ACQUAINTED	72	483	Jun 01, 2020 12:43AM
Goodreads Librari...: Clean up VII	800	651	Jul 06, 2020 03:21PM
The History Book ...: * #11 (US) JAMES KNOX POLK (PRESIDENT) 1845 - 1849	51	406	May 04, 2023 03:13PM

More…

James K. Polk’s Followers (4)

James K. Polk

Combine EditionsJames K. Polk’s books

Series by James K. Polk

Polls

Topics Mentioning This Author

Combine Editions
James K. Polk’s books