[USA] - 11th President of the USA James Knox Polk

James Knox Polk	Birth: 2 November 1795
	Died: 15 June 1849
	Party: Democrat
	Presidency: 1845 – 1849
	Vice President: George M. Dallas
	Nickname: Young Hickory

 

● Manifest Destiney

James Knox Polk was eager to expand the territory of the United States. His political support helped the Annexation of Texas during John Tyler’s presidency.

There was great opposition towards James Knox Polk and the annexation of Texas. Because he owned slaves, had co-ownership of a cotton plantation and sneakily opened more space for slavery and the Southern states during his presidency.

 

 

However, James Polk did put more emphasis on expansion. He believed that it was the ‘Manifest Destiney’ for the United States to expand all the way from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

A magazine editor John L. O’ Sullivan first addressed the term ‘Manifest Destiney’ to describe that it was the Destiney for the United States to take over the whole North American continent.

 

 

"Our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearling multiplying millions."

-John L O' Sullivan- 

 

● The Oregon Treaty

After sealing the deal on the admission of Texas to the United States, James Knox Folk focused on Oregon. The Oregon territory was bordered between 54°40′ (South of Russian Alaska) and 42° (North of Hispanic California).

James Knox Polk’s main slogan for the 1844 elections was ‘Fifty-four Forty or Fight!’ as he wanted to eagerly expand the territory of the United States.

Great Britain and the United States have long been in dispute over dividing the Oregon territory. Both countries claimed territory north of the Columbia River.

 

 

Great Britain and the United States agreed in the Oregon Treaty to set a new border for the Oregon territory in 1846. The Oregon Treaty set the 49° parallel line as the border between Great Britain and the United States.

By the Oregon Treaty, James Knox Folk became the first president to extend the United States from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

 

 

● Start of the Mexican-American War & Samuel Colt

Texas officially became a part of the United States after the Texas Annexation. However, conflicts between the Mexican government sparked over arguments between the Southern border of Texas.

The Republic of Mexico claimed the border shall be north of the Nueces River while the United States insisted that the border shall be on Rio Grande.

James Folk deployed federal troops to Rio Grande under general Zachary Taylor to deliver a strong and deliberate warning to the Mexican government.

 

Zachary Taylor

 

However, on 25th April 1846, the Mexican army actually engages with federal troops. By receiving agreement of 40 to 2 in the Senate and 174-14 in the House of Representatives, James Knox Folk declares war on Mexico.

Some representatives of the Whig party including Abraham Lincoln objected to the war fearing this was another secret attempt to expand slavery.

 

 

Samuel Colt invented the revolver in 1835. The revolver (wheel gun) had a rotating cylinder with multiple chambers which could be loaded with ammunition that would allow the gunner to fire multiple rounds.

Unlike a musket, with a revolver, the gunner didn’t need to fire and load one bullet at a time. This gave the gunner more firepower in a short range.

Although Samuel Colt’s business was shut already in 1842, he seized a governmental deal during the Mexican-American War.

 

 

The revolver helped the overnumbered US troops during the Mexican-American War.

The Mexican-American War battlegrounds were combat experience for major military leaders during the Civil War. Ulysses S. Grant, George Meade, and William T. Sherman etc from the North Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet and Stonewall Jackson etc from the South all fought during the Mexican-American War.

 

● The Mexican Cession

After the advance of the United States to Puebla, and Mexico City, politicians such as John C Calhoun strongly disagreed with the absorption of Mexico which was known as the All-Mexico Movement.

James Knox Folk agreed and started negotiations over a peace treaty with the Mexican government.

 

 

In February 1848, both governments agreed in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Mexican-American War was over. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo included the term called the ‘Mexican Cession’.

The United States government exchanged 15 million Mexico dollars for 500,000 square miles (About 1,300,000 km2) of territory that included New Mexico and California.

The Mexican Cession was another territory purchase that was as much as the Louisiana Purchase.

 

 

● Frederick Douglass 

Frederick Douglass was a major advocate who was African American for the Abolitionist Movement.

Frederick Douglas was the author of ‘Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, an American Slave’ which described his experiences as a slave and the horrific inconvenient truth of African-Americans as slaves.

 

Frederick Douglass

 

He escaped from slavery in Maryland. He would later become one of Abraham Lincoln’s supervisors on policies for African-Americans and major recruiter of African-Americans to join the cause of the Civil War.

 

narrative of the life of frederick douglass an american slave

 

● Amelia’s Bloomers

The corset was a common clothing for women during the 19th centuries. The corset would permanently damage the organs of women and itself was very stiff which made physical activities difficult for women.

Amelia Bloomer who was an active advocate for women right invented the ‘Bloomers’ which was a loose trouser worn underneath skirt.

 

Amelia’s Bloomers

 

During these conservative times, people were shocked by the concept of women wearing trousers. The public would refuse ‘Bloomers’ and it would take another century for society to commonly accept women wearing trousers.

 

● The Seneca Falls Convention

While the Abolitionist movement rises, there were women that also willing to participate for the abolition of slavery.

These women activists gathered at Seneca Falls, New York which was called the Seneca Falls Convention named after the location.

 

 

The Seneca Falls Convention not only discussed about the complete ban on slavery in the United States but also raised voice for women’s right. This convention was one of the earliest groups to advocate for women voting rights as well. 

 

 

● Gold Rush Fever 

James Marshall discovered gold while he was constructing a sawmill at Sutter’s fort. The ‘forty-niner’s (This nickname originates from the year 1845.) were eager to find more gold.

Many eager people headed towards California in search of gold. This was referred as the gold rush fever.

 

 

James Marshall, discoverer of gold, at Sutter's Mill