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.
Mexican
Oregon
President Polk sent troops to Mexico to seize the Oregon Territory, which began the Mexican War that the U.S. ultimately won to acquire Oregon.
Polk's goal was simple. He wanted a country which stretched from sea to shining sea. By supporting Texas, a future conflict with Mexico was assured, and the US could then acquire Mexican territory between the US and the Pacific Ocean.
Fruitless in negotiations and diplomacy, he achieved his aims through war.
james k polk
James K. Polk
by creating the boundary of Oregon at the 49th parallel and dividing the territory
Not exactly. He negotiated a treaty with Britain that established the disputed northern boundary of the Oregon Territory, but the territory already existed.
The northern boundary of the Oregon territory was settled by a treaty with Britain while Polk was president. He settled for less that the 54-40 he had campaigned for.
James K. Polk was the president when Texas joined the union as a state. Texas became US territory while John Tyler was the President.
James K. Polk (term 1845-1849)