Key Facts
- Term
- 1845--1849
- Party
- Democratic
- Vice President
- George M. Dallas
- First Lady
- Sarah Polk
- Home State
- Tennessee
- Born
- 1795
- Died
- 1849
Biography
James K. Polk set four major goals and achieved all of them: acquiring California and the Southwest, settling the Oregon boundary, reducing tariffs, and establishing an independent treasury.
Key Events & Accomplishments
- Led the U.S. through the Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
- Acquired California, New Mexico, and the Southwest via the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
- Settled the Oregon boundary dispute with Britain at the 49th parallel
Election Results
| Year | Opponent | Electoral Vote | Popular Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1844 | Henry Clay | 170-105 | +1.5% |
Notable Quotes
“No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure.”
Did You Know?
- Polk is the only Speaker of the House to become president.
- He died at 53, just 103 days after leaving office.