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James K. Polk

James K. Polk was the 11th President of the United States. He served as president from March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849

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What did President Polk order General Zachary Taylor to cross?

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Asked by Wiki User

President Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to cross the Rio Grande and occupy the disputed territory between Texas and Mexico, which ultimately led to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War.

What actions did President Polk take to Mexico to strike first?

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The Thornton Affair, where American blood was shed when American and Mexican troops attacked each other. The problem is, they fought on a no man's land (the Nueces Strip).

Who questioned President Polks right to declare war by introducing a resolution to Congress requesting the president to specify the precise spot where blood had first been shed?

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Asked by Misstexas123

Abraham Lincoln, who was a member of the House of Representatives at the time, introduced the resolution. The resolution aimed to challenge President Polk's justification for the Mexican-American War and questioned the location of the initial act of aggression that had led to the war.

When Polk believed no one would take enslave persons to the southwest because?

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Asked by Wiki User

he assumed that the institution of slavery was not necessary or viable in that region. Polk believed that the economic and social conditions of the southwest did not support the establishment of slavery, and therefore, enslaving individuals would not be a profitable or practical endeavor.

Why did James K. Polk only run for 1 term as president?

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James K. Polk made a campaign promise to serve only one term as president. He believed that one term was sufficient to accomplish his main goals, which were to settle territorial disputes with Mexico and successfully implement his agenda for territorial expansion. Polk felt that by limiting himself to one term, he could focus all his energy on achieving these objectives.

Did president Polk wear a tie?

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Yes, President Polk did wear a tie. During the 19th century, it was customary for men to wear ties as part of their formal attire, especially on formal occasions or while serving in public office.

Was James Polk associated with the Missouri compromise?

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Asked by Wiki User

No, James Polk was not associated with the Missouri Compromise. The Missouri Compromise was passed in 1820, before Polk's political career began. Polk served as the 11th President of the United States from 1845 to 1849 and was known for his expansionist policies during the Mexican-American War.

Why was James K. Polk only president for 4 years?

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Asked by Wiki User

James K. Polk served as the 11th President of the United States from 1845 to 1849. He had made a pledge during his campaign to serve only one term, and he kept his promise. Additionally, Polk's health began to decline towards the end of his presidency, and he chose not to seek re-election.

President Polk was determined to acquire the territory in the West held by even at the risk of war?

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President Polk's determination to acquire the territory in the West, even at the risk of war, was driven by his belief in Manifest Destiny and the desire to expand American territory and influence. He viewed the acquisition of land as essential for economic growth, national security, and the spread of democracy. This led to the Mexican-American War, which ultimately resulted in the acquisition of a significant portion of land, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

What is James K. Polk best known as?

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Asked by Wiki User

Young Hickory (after Andrew Jackson who was Old Hickory) and The Dark Horse Candidate.

How did James K. Polk get americans to go to war with mexico?

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Polk said we had to go to war because U.S. forces had been attacked on the Rio Grande. Some said we provoked Mexico into war.

Why did President Polk send General Scott into Mexico?

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He did not want a war, but he was willing to go to war if necessary in order to gain his objective of extending the US west to California and ending the dispute over the Texas border.

Longer answer :Border issues...again.

Let me explain. See, despite Santa Anna's defeat at the hands of the Texans, the Mexican Congress refused to accept the terms. Not that they could do much beyond point fingers and sputter. Mexico vehemently warned the U.S. that if they annexed Texas (an inevitability, given the Texans' U.S. and particularly Tennessee bushwhacker attitude), then America would have itself a war with the Central American nation. Predictably, America gleefully ignored the threats, and in 1845, Texas joined the union. Again, Mexico couldn't do much more than pout like a child who didn't get their lollipop, so it did the next best thing (in their minds): break off diplomatic contact. President Polk claimed the border as the Rio Grande River, but Mexico claimed the border as the Nueces River. According to the Treaties of Velasco, the border was indeed the Rio Grande. But Mexico herself never ratified those treaties.

Polk was in a bit of a pickle. See, the U.S. recognized Texas' independence, and by extension, the Treaties of Velasco. The border was indeed the Rio Grande. But Mexico was changing the terms of the treaties by changing the border. Strange...they weren't really willing to just march back in and take Texas back, but they were willing to force the issue... Now why would they do that?

Answer: because they knew Polk could only react one way.

See, there are two reasons for this. First, America wanted Northern California. Not necessarily to control themselves, but primarily because France and England wanted it as well. America wouldn't tolerate the European colonials re-establishing their dominion on the continent (Canada notwithstanding), and they knew Europe had its sights set on the area. Mexico was weak, and would have fallen easily to a European power, either through marshal might, or coercion. It was a matter of safety.

Secondly, cotton. Actually Mexico probably wouldn't be the best place for cotton, but it WOULD be a southern territory that would be allowed slavery. Score one for the Democrats in Congress. The North vehemently opposed the war (for the most part), but this was an America that was all about concessions to the states at this time. Polk knew the NORTH wouldn't secede, but the south sure threatened it. Blocking the war would be just one more thing to add to the secessionist's list.

So, armed with that knowledge, Mexico was pretty sure of two things: one, America would attack if they gave them a reason (i.e: disputing the border), and two: that France and England would SUPPORT Mexico if America did attack. After all, Europe was already slave-free, as was Mexico. Why would England and France support a pro-slave nation over an anti-slave nation? Also, Mexico knew it was a matter of time before it lost California. Either through revolution, conquest, or treaty. France and England wanted it, and Mexico believed they'd support Mexico if they thought they could get it from them.

Mexico was flouting the American policy of no European intervention in the Americas, and threatening an all-out war. America was deeply divided, and didn't need this agitation. Polk's decision was made for him.

In 1846, Texans went to war, again.

Who did President Polk send to try to buy New Mexico and California?

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Asked by Wiki User

He sent John C. Fremont to see what kind of resistance the Mexican army would show if American military would enter California. The Mexican government was doing its best to keep Americans out of California. When Fremont arrived with his men he was stopped near San Juan Bastista by the Mexican army. Fremont and his men were trapped on the mountain, but the army didn't surround the back of thr peak and only put men on the front. Before the night was over Fremont was able to escape by going down the backside of the mountain. An American naval ship was waiting for them off the coast. It wasn't until the influx of gold seekers in 1849 that Fremont returned to California and he was to declare the Bear Flag Republic and take the Mexican governor to Sutter's Fort in Sacramento. On September 9, 1850 California became a state. It was Texas he offered payment to not California, and in that case it was Zachary Taylor.

Where did Polk annex?

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Asked by Wiki User

James K. Polk annexed the state of Texas. It was actually on December 29th of 1845, but often times people say 1846.

What were the accomplishments of James K. Polk during his presidency?

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Asked by Wiki User

James K Polk set plans to expand the territories into Mexico. He declared war by alleging that he had a right to land that Mexico had already claimed, despite that the person who signed it was no longer Mexico's leader, and was currently being imprisoned by the new Mexican government.

In Mexico, this war is referred to as "The American Invasion of Mexico."

America ultimately won the war, and decided to take what is now the Southwest. Soon afterwards gold was found in California, starting the California Gold Rush, and finally completing Columbus's 356 year long goal.

The United States gained 525,000 square miles of western territory by winning the Mexican war. He added territory that now composes of Arizona,Utah,Nevada,California,Oregon,Tdaho,Washington,Much of New Mexico, and portions of Wyoming,Montana,and Colorado.also the Manifest Destiny and events connected to these two events like the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the Wilmot Provis and the Ostend Manifesto

What was Mr Polk's War?

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Asked by Wiki User

It was the Mexican-American war in 1846-1848. It was called "mr. Polk's war" by those who believed that president James K. Polk's aggression was an attempt to extend slavery. They called it this to take away national support of the war.

Was it right for Polk to declare war on Mexico?

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Asked by Wiki User

No. He used the pretext of American soldiers killed in the contested Nueces strip as a casus belli to instigate the war. Such patch of terrain was however, a no man's land which couldn't be considered American territory.

In reality, both American presidents John Tyler (term 1841-1845) and James K. Polk (term 1845-1849) wished to extend the US territories to the Pacific coast and consolidate what they saw as the "Manifest Destiny" of the country. US interests had expanded in California and its leaders sought to acquire it by any means necessary.

What territories did James K. Polk acquire as president?

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Asked by Wiki User

Under Polk, the US added an area in the Southwest , including New Mexico, and California as a result of the Mexican cession which was a part of the treaty that ended the Mexican War. The treaty also ended a dispute over the boundary of Texas. A separate treaty with Great Britain settled the dispute over the northern boundary of the Oregon territory.

Why is James K. Polk important to Texas?

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Asked by Wiki User

He annexed the territories of the southwest from Mexico. In case you didn't figure it out, we won the war with Mexico!

Why is president James K. Polk remembered as the manifest destiny president?

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Asked by Wiki User

The manifest destiny was the United States should stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This was realized during the Polk administration when the US annexed California and the Mexican territory in between.

What did James K. Polk do for Manifest destiny?

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Asked by Wiki User

James k. Polk was a president after Andrew Jackson, they both where a very big part of the manifest destiny, James k. Polk was the one who believed in them and encouraged them during the things that he/she had a hard time with the things that they did. James K. Polk was the person who incouraged them and he also was oppart of the manifest destiny and so was andrew jackson after he wasent president james k. polk took his place.

hope this helps :)

Why did president Polk want to buy California from Mexico?

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Asked by Wiki User

probaly because polk might go to war with them and they wouldnt want to go to war

Did James Polk make any famous speeches while president?

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Asked by Wiki User

Yes. He was noted as a skiiled debater and speaker in college and became Speaker of the House.