James K. Polk 1845-1849

A slave owning southerner dedicated to Democratic party. U.S. House of Representative from TN 1825-39 acting as the Speaker from 1835-39. Became Gov. of TN 1939-1841. In 1844, he was a "dark horse" candidate for president, and he won the election. A nationalist that campaigned on Manifest Destiny: Annex Texas, Occupy Oregon 54' 40" or fight. Most territory added than any other President accept Jefferson. Oregon Treaty, reestablished an independent Treasury System, Walker Tariff, Mexican War, treaty of Guadalupe 1848. Official U.S. territory of Oregon 1848.He was a friend and follower of Andrew Jackson. He opposed Clay's American System, instead advocating lower tariff, separation the treasury and the federal government from the banking system.

In politics, a candidate with little apparent support who unexpectedly wins a nomination or election

though Americans chanted "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!", Polk accepted a compromise treaty that split Oregon between the U.S. and Britain in 1846 at the 49th Paralle peacefully. The Oregon Territory is now Oregon, Washington, and parts of Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and the Northern border of the U.S.

1845. Originally refused in 1837, as the U.S. Government believed that the annexation would lead to war with Mexico. Texas remained a sovereign nation. Annexed via a joint resolution through Congress, supported by President-elect Polk, and approved in 1845. Land from the Republic of Texas later became parts of NM, CO, OK, KS, and WY.

The act removed the federal government from involvement with the nation's banking system by establishing federal depositories for public funds instead of keeping the money in national, state, or private banks. This was the system the government adopted until the federal reserve act of 1910.

The 1846 Walker tariff was a Democratic bill that reversed the high rates of tariffs imposed by the Whig-backed "Black Tariff" of 1842 under the tenth president, John Tyler. It was one of the lowest tariffs in American history and primarily supported by Southern Democrats who had little industry in their districts. The act is named after Robert J. Walker, a Mississippi politician who served as Secretary of the Treasury under president James K. Polk. The tariff's reductions (35% to 25%) coincided with Britain's repeal of the Corn Laws earlier that year, leading to a decline in protection in both and an increase in trade.

The United States declares war on Mexico from 1846 to 1848 over Texas annexation and the boundry of the Rio Grande; led to devastating defeat of Mexican forces, loss of about one-half of Mexico's national territory to the United States. Led by Gen. Zachary Taylor: N.Mexico, Col. Stephen Kearny:NM, CA, Gen. Winfield Scott: Vera Cruz, Mexico City. Other military leaders included: Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, George B. McClellen, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis.

Ended the Mexican War; under its terms Mexico gave up all claims to Texas north of the Rio Grande and ceded California, the Utah and New Mexico territories. Also paid Mexico fifteen million dollars for the lands, but the land cession amounted to nearly half that nation's territory.

After the Oregon Treaty of 1846 which settled peacefully the border dispute between the U.S. and Britain This territory was officially organized in 1848.