PRESIDENT+JAMES+K.+POLK

=JAMES K. POLK By Lynndy L.=

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Not many people are informed about all the presidents in the United States. Some only know presidential figures like Bush, Clinton, Kennedy, Washington, and Lincoln. James Polk deserves more recognition then he actually gets. James K. Polk became our eleventh president on March 4th, 1845 and finished his term on March 3rd, 1849. President Polk was very intelligent, which is a useful trait for a president to have. "He vowed to serve only one term." James Polk had a great life, used his intelligence to graduate and had a successful run in office. =====

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James Knox Polk was born on November 2nd, 1795 to a wealthy family in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. His mother, Jane Knox, was a Scot-Irish whose religious values focused on Presbyterianism. on the other hand, James' father, Samuel, was a "dogmatic Presbyterianism." Samuel did not believe or devote himself to Christianity, but he and Jane went to get Polk baptized. Samuel refused to proclaim Christianity, the minister did not baptize Polk. Polk's family moved to Tennessee when Polk was eleven years old. "his father's farm was prosperous." Polk's health was a big ordeal. At seventeen, Polk had surgery for urinary stones which made him miss a trip that his father had planned. Polk married his wife, Sarah Childress on January 1st, 1824 at Sarah's parents house. The Polk's did not have any children. Polk died due to the disease cholera on June 15th, 1849 at fifty-three years old. His last words were, "I love you Sarah, for all eternity, I love you.=====

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Even though Polk was an intelligent man, he actually taught himself to learn. He could not attend regular "schooling" due to being ill. Polk passed entrance requirements at the University of North Carolina. Some described him as "correct, punctual, and industrious." He graduated in 1818 as the "salutatorian," second highest ranked in the graduating class. Polk also graduated with honors. He went on to study law with his mentor, Felix Grundy. Polk was elected Clerk of Tennessee State Senate in 1819. He was reelected in 1821. Polk was in a militia as a captain but ranked up as a colonel in 1821. He resigned from the clerk position in 1822. Instead, he ran for Tennessee State Legislator the following year. =====

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During Polk's presidency, he had four main objectives, "to re-establish the independent treasury system, reduction of tariffs, acquisition of some or all of the Oregon country, and acquisition of California and New Mexico from the Mexicans." In his four year term, Polk had accomplished all of his four goals he had set for himself. The Mexican War, from years 1846 to 1878, lead to America gaining Texas, New Mexico, and California. During Polk's term, America also gain some of the Oregon country from the British. Was Polk a good president? Ask one's self this, does one think that gaining additional territory for the United States is an accomplishment?=====

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Being a president doesn't mean that life is boring. Gold was discovered during Polk's term. Polk's nick name was "The People's Choice," because Polk was a dark horse in the presidential race. Polk's wife did not allow playing cards in the house. During his administration, music, dancing, and guests were not allowed at White House during the sabbath. This is all strange, but true. " //With me, it is exceptionally true that the Presidency is no bed of roses."// This quote conveys the fact that presidency is not an easy task. Polk also had said, //" No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure." // =====

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James K. Polk and I are one in the same, yet, complete opposites. We both are intelligent. Polk had a good education and so do I. On the other hand, Polk did not have teachers at a young age, but my teachers teach me valuable life lessons. My religion is also different from Polk's, he was a Presbyterian and I am Catholic. In the future, I would love to have children, unlike Polk who had none. James Polk inspired me to never give up. He had a good education and he graduated with honors, something I would like to achieve. Instead of being salutatorian, I would like to be the valedictorian. He is an inspiration to me because he was an "underdog" who made a name for himself.=====

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Our eleventh president has made a huge impact in America. He added more land to our country. He needs to be honored because Polk had made a wonderful improvement in America. His term was only for four years but he achieved so much in one term. He truly was an amazing, talented, and intelligent president.=====

Works Cited //"Polk, James K."// Encyclopedia Britannica. Vol. 14. 733-34. Print.

Wikipedia contributors. //"James K. Polk."// Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 25 Apr. 2010. Web. 26 Apr. 2010.

Garcia, Ogle. Creating America: A History of the United States Florida Edition. 2005-01, 2005. Print.

//"POLK, James Knox."// (n.d.): Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. EBSCO. Web. 26 Apr. 2010. Shmoop Editorial Team. //"James K. Polk in Manifest Destiny & Mexican-American War."// Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 29 Apr 2010

//"James K. Polk: Biography."// James K. Polk. Web. 29 Apr. 2010. [].

Photograph. //James Polk.// Web. 29 Apr. 2010. .