James Knox Polk Biography

James K. Polk was the Eleventh President of the United States and was a member of the Democratic Party and considered the last of the Jacksonian Presidents. Born in North Carolina in 1795, he graduated in 1818 fron the university of North Carolina and started his politics career as a lawyer. He soon gained a seat in the Tennesee legislature and befriended Andrew Jackson. With his experience and connections, he became Speaker of the House between 1835 and 1839, he then resigned to become the govener of Tennesee. It first he wanted to run for Vice President for the Democratic Party and became the leading canidate. Polk supported expansion and wanted to expand to Oregon and annex Texas. Jackson encouraged Polk to run for president. As the elections heated up, Congress voted to annex Texas which ultimately meant war with Mexico because Mexico had severed diplomatic ties with the United States. In 1844, Polk attempted to claim Oregon and California once he was in office. Polk made an offer with the British and after much debate, Polk was victorious. Polk also sent troops into Texas which the Mexicans believed was their territory and attacked but Polk led America during the two year war and won in 1848. Mexico released New Mexico and California and in return Polk gave them $15,000,000. Polk later died in June 1849.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jamespolk