JOHN | JAMES POLK: The United States President 1845-1849

Similar to John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22),who was often referred to as "Jack," James Polk was often referred to as "John."

On November 13, 2009 Newsweek ran an critique written by Donald Graham. In that expose Graham reviewed a biography by novelist Robert Merry. Graham points out that Robert Merry had written a compelling account with reference to President John Polk. John/James Polk is described as an unusual man brought to life in this book. A chap who is prim, guarded, courageous in his policies, cunning in his politics and spineless face-to-face. Merry goes on to depict Polk as a smaller-than-life figure. Except he goes on to clarify that Polk is a good deal more remarkable than his repute.

It is believed that, Polk is the least consequential president of the United States. Nevertheless, he fought the Mexican War and extended the Union by settling claims to Texas and the Oregon Territory. These settlement of claims made way for the expansion of the USA together with the acquisition of California and the Southwest. This expansion as well strengthened state-run financial policy. According to the author Merry, President Polk achieved most of his desired goals when in office primarily as a product of his own initiative. Merry describes Polk as an astute political figure.

As president, Polk "expanded the Union by settling claims to Texas and the Oregon Territory and by acquiring California and the Southwest".The expansion reopened a furious national debate over allowing slavery in the new territories. The controversy was inadequately arbitrated by the Compromise of 1850, and finally found its ultimate resolution on the battlefields of the U.S. Civil War. Polk signed the Walker Tariff that brought an era of nearly free trade to the country until 1861. He oversaw the opening of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Smithsonian Institution, the groundbreaking for the Washington Monument, and the issuance of the first postage stamps in the United States, introduced by his Postmaster General Cave Johnson.

Merry notes that Polk was a most improbable president. As an example, he was elected immediately after two defeats for the governor of Tennessee, after that exhausted years planning for the Democratic vice presidential nomination. When the favored candidate, Martin Van Buren, chose the unsuitable side on Texas annexation in 1844, Polk's sharp-witted political team advanced him to a deadlocked convention. As a result Polk was the earliest dark-horse nominee elected president.

Soon after James was 11, the family sold the homestead and traveled west to join James's grandfather in Tennessee. Young James attended lecturers there, then returned to North Carolina to become an honor student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduating in 1818, he traveled back to Tennessee, studied law, and established a practice. In 1824 Polk married Sarah Childress, whose congenial manner and dedicated companion helped advance his political career.

Among of his achievements include:

• Re-establishment of the Independent Treasury System
• The reduction of tariffs
• Acquisition of Oregon Country, and California and New Mexico from Mexico. Later on, he was called THE EXPANSIONIST for expanding the territorial property of America.<VD8KUS7RM5Q9>