James K. Polk

Manifest destiny: First used by the journalist John O'Sullivan in 1845 to refer to the belief that it was America's "divine right", or "right given by God" to possess the entire continent.

President Polk contributed to America's drive for Manifest Destiny using a few different methods. One method was the Oregon treaty of 1846. Originally, Polk only wanted land up to the 49th parallel but knew Britain would not be so easy in negotiating. So, he set up a plot so he can achieve his goal with little conflict. Polk revealed to Britain that he wanted land up to the latitude line 54o40". Britain was not looking for war nor looking to give up all its land in the west so they decided to make a compromise. While Great Britain thought they were being sly by negotiating, they agreed to divide their land, giving America the 49th parallel via the Oregon treaty, which is what Polk wanted in the first place.

Another way Polk pushed toward manifest destiny was with another treaty but not by clever manipulation or negotiation, but by war. As a result of the Mexican war, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo arose. This was sparked by the dispute of the Texas border, whether it was the Nueces river or the more southern Rio Grande. The war ended with the capture of Mexico City under Winfield Scott in 1847. Finally, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo was signed resulting in the Mexican cession of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Nevada, Colorado and Utah in exchange for $15 million.

Polk was not content with the amount of land ceded in the last few years. To accommodate the gold rush, transportation was key. Americans were in search for the fastest and easiest route to Southern California. When America discovered a route south of Arizona, it became necessary to acquire such land to build a railroad track. When Polk confronted Mexico about wanting more land, Mexico was still softened by their loss of the Mexican war. They agreed to cede modern southern Arizona to America for only 12 million dollars which completed America, in exception to Hawaii and Alaska, under Polks administration which was called the Gadson Purchase.

Polk proved to be intelligent in plotting to acquire the rest of America by his various methods of winning land and fulfilling Manifest Destiny.

James K. Polk as President:

• settled the Oregon boundary dispute by diplomacy, essentially acting as his own Secretary of State.
• settled territorial disputes with Mexico over Texas and California by using military force after diplomacy failed.
• signed a significantly reduced tariff rate into law.
• signed into law a bill that required that all federal money be deposited in treasuries independent of private banks, reverting to the system used under Van Buren in contrast to the system used by the preceding Whig presidents.

Major Domestic Policy: Polk's main focus for America was the expanding of land, helped him to win the election against Clay due to him being against the annexation of Texas. Polk's presidency was mostly uneventful until the end of his term came around. At this time, David Wilmot devised a resolution, which would prohibit slavery in the territories. This resolution was never passed and put into effect. The debate of slavery whether it should be limited or kept as is would escalate and eventually turn into the Civil War. Polk created the Department of Interior in 1849 in order to manage federal land plots. He then created the Walker Tariff of 1846 in order to reduce the amount of tariffs instead of voiding protective tariffs for the northerners. He then brought to effect the Independent Treasury Act of 1846. This act made if possible for the state banks to be funded by the government. America was having trouble with the British dispute over borders in the unorganized territory. Polk then solved the problem allowing the British to fish in the Columbia River and by drawing a boundary line at the forty-ninth parallel line.

Major Foreign Policy: Polk believed in Manifest Destiny, which allowed him to annex all of Oregon, Texas, New Mexico and California in total adding one million square miles to the United States. The entire territory of Texas was not acquired into American Territory due Polk wanting to avoid a war with the British. The separation line was at the 49th parallel. The United States gained full power of the Oregon territory on June 15, 1846 once the Senate ratified the treaty. Polk also worked toward expanding the South. The border of Texas created disputes, since it had declared itself as a an independent nation. When Texas was part of Mexico, the border was the Nueces River, but once it declared itself as an independent nation, its border became the Rio Grande. America was then brought into War against Texas commanded by Zachary Taylor. As a result of the war, Texas was able to became part of the United States through purchase. Under the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, the United States purchased Texas from Mexico for $15 million. In 1848, the Treaty of New Granada was signed in order to prevent British from acquiring the western part of America. This also gave Americans the right in present-day Colombia and then the U.S. recognized New Granada as powerful and noticed the neutrality.

Court Case:

• Jones v. VanZandt (1847)-Declared that the Fugitive Slave Law was Constitutional and that slavery was decided upon the individual state.

• West River Bridge v. Dix (1848)-Stated that as long as compensation is offered by the sates, then they could take the bridge franchises like any other property.

• Smith v. Turner (1849)-Created the "constitutionality of state laws regarding foreign commerce," and the "taxation of immigrants."

• Luther v. Borden (1849)-Toughened Article IV of the Constitution.

Intellectual and Social Developments:

• Population was rising as immigrants moved America. Irish Immigrants were taking places in factories, expanding the work force.

• Women did not have much power and voice in politics. They still played a role and tried to get their voices heard in the 1840s. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott led the Seneca Falls convention in 1848. It gave women the motivation to the movements of women's rights and abolition of slavery.

• Antislavery parties were formed: Liberty and Free Soil. Fighting whether slavery should be allowed into the territory.

• The Mormons created Salt Lake City in 1847 in order to be able to practice religion and polygamy and have religious freedom from the states.

• In 1849, a massive migration occurred in spite of finding gold and becoming wealthy during the California Gold Rush.

• John O'Sullivan mentioned the idea of "Manifest Destiny." He stated that the United States was destined to occupy and conquer the areas from Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean

Polk's Legacy: To some people, Polk was man who accomplished close to everything he put his word to, yet some people believe that he was a man who missed man great opportunities. Polk ignored slavery throughout his term; other then this, he met all of his requirements that he set for himself. Polk will always be remembered for the mass amount of land that he annexed into the United States and his idea of Manifest Destiny. He also lowered the tariff rates and established a new federal depository system. He also created a higher power for the executive branch. He was also the first president after James Monroe to apply the Monroe Doctrine stating that Americans should be free from European interference. He was also known as a good war president since he was able to have a good result with the Mexican War. Although, people believe that Polk provoked the Mexican War in his pursuit to gain more land, which then gained a mistrust between the North and the South, later resulting in the Civil War.