James K. Polk Achievements

Born on November 2, 1795, in Mecklenburg, North Carolina (A+E), James K. Polk moved to Columbia, Tennessee, at age 11 (Britannica). He graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina in 1818 (White House). He passed the bar exam in 1920 and opened a law practice in Columbia. Polk entered politics in 1823, when he served in the Tennessee State Legislature. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1825 (A+E). He was part of the House of Representatives for 14 years and was speaker for 4 of those years. James K. Polk was America's best president. He became president in 1844 and accomplished all of his major goals during his one term in office, such as expanding U.S. territory, establishing an independent Treasury, and reducing the tariffs.

Polk
Polk knew better than to start a war over it, though. He suggested to the British that they split the Territory at the 49th parallel (White House). He annexed Texas and, after a 2-year war, forced Mexico to sell the land that is now Utah, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, and Wyoming (White House). He kept his campaign promise of only serving one term in office (A+E). During his presidency, the U.S. Naval Academy, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Department of the Interior were all formed, and Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin joined the Union (A+E). He was extremely dedicated to the presidency. His health poor from overwork, Polk died in June 1849 at the age of 53 (White House).

James K. Polk was the best president America has had so far. He was a member of the House of Representatives for 14 years, and he was the Speaker for 4 of those years. He became president in 1844 and met all of his goals for his presidency. He built an independent U.S. Treasury, he reduced the tariffs, and he greatly expanded the territory of the