Did President James Polk believe that the war with Mexico was inevitable?
No. He tried to negotiate a peaceful settlement of the issues that produced the war. He did seem to believe that California and most of the land east of California would inevitably fall under US control, a belief known as "manifest destiny".
What is a good cinquain for the 11th president James K. Polk?
James Polk
from Tennessee
saw the United States
stretch from sea to shining sea in
one term.
Did James K. Polk invent anything?
no- not in the sense that he obtained any patents or is known as an inventor.
What are some interesting facts about James Polk?
Why did southern expansionists support James K. Polk for President in 1844?
Polk was a slaveholder who promised to bring Texas into the Union.
Did James K. Polk have any famous family members?
Yes. George Polk, a famous CBS reporter who was murdered in Greece at the start of the Cold War and Leonidas Polk, one of the more controversial Generals of the Civil War (he was also an Episcobal bishop). There are also more.
What scandals occured when James K. Polk was president?
His birth certificate was claimed fake. Some believed he was not indeed a U.S. citizen. Black mail, is what stopped him from running for his 2nd term.
Were any amendments to the Constitution enacted during the presidency of James K. Polk?
No. in fact no amendments were ratified between 1804 (12th which modified the election of the president and VP) and 1865 (the 13th which abolished slavery.)
Why was President Polk's grand strategy concerning General Zachary Taylor's men in Mexico flawed?
Following the Battle of Buena Vista, President Polk wanted General Zachary Taylor to move south and conquer Mexico City. However, it was almost impossible to supply General Taylor's army in such an endeavor. The supply lines would have been too long.
Why did president Polk announce the discovery of the gold rush to the rest of nation?
To continue the nations's westward expansion. Manifest Destiny! Knew it would attract to crowded east coasters to the west where they could try their luck getting rich quick.
What treaty did James K. Polk sign with Britain in 1846?
This was the Oregon Treaty which established the boundary between the Oregon Territory and Canada.
Why did James K. Polk become a supporter of Andrew Jackson?
Polk was a Southerner and an expansionist. He believed in the right to run the country from sea to sea. I am not so sure he wanted to expand slavery. I think he may have had some household slaves, but was not a big slave-owner.
What final incident caused president Polk to declare war on Mexico?
It was called the Thornton Affair involving an encounter between US Troops and the Mexican Army. Men died after shots were fired and the US Congress declared War on Mexico.
Was James K. Polk really in for annexing Texas?
Polk campaigned in favor of annexing Texas; his opponent Clay came out against it. Texas was annexed after Polk was elected but before he took office.
Where did James K. Polk grow up?
Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, NC and lived there with his family until he was 10. At that time, the family made a difficult move to uncleared land in middle Tennessee. where he lived until he left for college at the University of NC.