Assess the validity of the following statement, "James K. Polk is one of America's near great presidents." Do you agree that he should be so highly ranked? Why or why not?
You can watch a little ditty about James K. Polk for inspiration!
You answer is due no later than 9:00PM on Sunday, November 22.
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I believe that in terms of the opportunities and goals James K Polk established and completed for the United States, he should be ranked among the nation's "near great presidents". It is only because the way in which he achieved some of his success do I think this statement is not entirely valid.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of Polk's term, he established a good name for himself. His four-point mission plan, which included lowering the tariff, restoring the independent treasury, clearing up the Oregon border issue, and obtaining California, was achieved in one-term. He successfully lowered the 32% Tariff of 1842 to a much more reasonable 25%, and although there were complaints by industrialists and warnings of doom surrounding the decision, the tariff was followed by good times. James K Polk also restored the independent treasury of the United States and put the country's money into non-government banks.
The disputed Oregon territory and its borders were also settled under Polk. Through some tense bargaining with the British, Polk succeeded in passing a treaty through Congress which gave Americans their second-choice of Oregon's latitude border, whereas both of Britain's latitude bargaining-ships were ignored. The United States also came out of this deal with more land, which mirrored the Maine Treaty. It is only Polk's last point, taking California, which masks his other achievements (in my opinion) given the severe controversy over the taking of California.
Polk's frustration over California and his desire for it took precedent over moral values and rational thinking. His provocations of the Mexican-American War are indisputable, and although the war eventually gave the United States its borders which are still present today, the unjustifiable reasons he took for beginning the war end Polk's nomination as one of America's "near great presidents".
Polk claimed territory near the Rio Grande river, which was highly disputed among Mexicans and Americans, as American soil. So when Zachary Taylor marched troops dangerously near Mexican troops under Polk's orders, the provocations of violence towards Mexican troops was clear. Then, when 16 American soldiers were killed after crossing the Rio Grande, Polk continued to push for war knowing that a war could only result in higher fatalities.
He justified his cause out of a need to defend the honor, rights and interests of the American country, claiming American blood had been spilt on American soil, when in reality the "spot" was a region knowingly disputed between the two countries. Even after Abraham Lincoln's "Spot Resolution", Polk insisted on fighting.
Although the war allowed America to take half of Mexico's land for a price of $18,250,000, the American people knew they had bullied Mexico out of their land. I think Polk was the obvious, main factor behind the Mexican-American war, and his continued, stubborn perseverance for an unnecessary and immoral war ruined his presidency. Therefore, I do not think James K Polk should be considered one of America's "near great presidents".
James Knox Polk was definitely one of “America’s near great presidents.” As president, he improved the United States and furthered all of America’s plans to grow economically and physically.
ReplyDeleteDuring his presidency, James K. Polk increased land opportunities by adding about a third of present-day United States for around $18 million. While the American-Mexican War is often construed as a dirty war, it wasn’t unjust or cruel, so the result of it is all that matters. Many Americans were against this war, but James K. Polk was able to convince Congress and push forward with it to win California, Nevada, Utah, most of New Mexico and Arizona, and the disputed regions of Texas. He also resolved issues with Britain over the Oregon Territory, including Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
James K. Polk also improved the United States’ economy and lowered tensions between Northern and Southern merchants by lowering the tariffs of 1832. Polk signed the Walker Tariff that brought an era of near free trade to the country until 1861. He also redid the treasury by reinstating an independent treasury with non government banks. With the addition of Texas and the other Southern states, Polk also increased the amount of revenue flowing into the United States.
While expanding America and building up its economy, James K. Polk also oversaw the opening of the Smithsonian, the Naval Academy, the foundation of the Washington Monument, and the installation of the first postage stamps. James K. Polk improved America in many aspects, and it is thus justified to include him in the list of America’s near-great presidents.
James K. Polk should not be considered "one of America's near great presidents." While he strengthened America's economy and was one of the most efficient and purposeful presidents our country has seen, his attitude towards Mexico and his push for an unnecessary strips him of that title.
ReplyDeleteJames K. Polk established a four-point mission for himself. He wanted to lower the tariff, restore the independent treasury, resolve the Oregon border dispute, and get California. All four of these points were accomplished under his presidency. He lowered the tariff from 32% to 25% and despite the seemingly negative impacts on industry, the tariff was followed by prosperous times. He restored the independent treasury in 1846 and Oregon was split at the 49th parallel.
James K. Polk was the first president to rule America from coast to coast. The profound impact of gaining California, though was weakened through his bullying of Mexico. Polk pushed for the border of Texas to be the Rio Grande, all though they had agreed upon a different boundary. John Slidell was sent to Mexico City to buy California, but was "snubbed" and Polk, frustrated, sent troops into the disputed territory. Polk pushed Congress to declare war and when harm came to a few American soldiers in the disputed territory, he convinced Congress to declare war. He argued that American blood was shed on American soil, which was not true at all. In the war against weak Mexico, America took California (compensating them with money) and set the border of Texas at the Rio Grande. In essence, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that was signed forced Mexico into selling the California territory and the land north of the Rio Grande.
James K. Polk was a determined president who expanded America from coast to coast. He helped the economy and achieved his four goals in his presidency. However, his bullying of Mexico and hunger for an unnecessary war mean that he should not be ranked so highly as to be deemed "one of America's near great presidents."
I disagree with the statement that James Polk was one of America's near great presidents. I believe Polk accomplished many amazing things that greatly shaped America today as we know it. What's holding him back from being one of the greatest is his selfishness and bad morals.
ReplyDeleteJames K. Polk went to war with Mexico over land. He bullied a small weak nation (Mexico) into fighting a war it did not want. In the peace treaty, he agreed to buy from Mexico what is now all of California and Nevada, and part of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. I think that is very selfish and greedy. If your willing to kill people just so you can have control over land then would you not kill someone for money? I may be wrong but killing someone for money is called contract killing and I'm pretty sure you would receive the death penalty for it. So what's the difference between contract killing and war over land? There isn't a difference, besides the fact that Polk is the president of the United States.
Polk had other good accomplishments that I believe some people overlook. His Four-point mission plan was successfully executed. He lowered tariffs from 32% to 25%. He restored independent treasury by putting money in corporate banks instead of government banks.
The plan also included gaining control of California and setting a lasting border for the Oregon territory.
James K. Polk had great accomplishments; there is no argument there. I just couldn't find it in me to say he's near one of our greatest presidents. I would give him an 8/10 for his accomplishments. This is a relatively high rating but I still believe his bad morals and his greed takes away from those accomplishments.
-Scott Shortino
Your logic is irrelevant Mr. Anonymous!
DeleteI don't think this statement is very valid about James Polk being considered as America's one of near great presidents because yes he indeed accomplish such huge problems that we had in America, but some of the ways that he solved the problems weren't that necessary as he believed it was. I believe that he would of been one of our greatest presidents, but some of his personality and characteristics held him back from being one of them.
ReplyDeleteAs James Polk was elected in the election of 1844 he had four goals that he wanted to accomplish by the time his presidency ends. His first goal was to lower the tarrifs from 32% to 25% which negative comments came from companies, but this plan was still followed out. His second goal was to have independent tresury by putting money in corporate banks instead of government banks. This plan finally gained control of California and settling the border line for the Oregon territory. His third plan was to gain Mexico. This plan wasn't his best plan at all, even though we gain Mexico as part of America but the way we gained Mexico wasn't the best way. We used violence to gain the country. James Polk could of solved this problem with words rather than guns. James Polk wanted more land for the United States and he wanted Mexico to become part of our nation, but when Mexico ignored his plea James Polk got made about that. He sends our soldiers to explore the area and Mexico gets mad about that. The results were that nine soldiers were killed at the border and James Polk believe that we should declare war on Mexico, but senator Abraham Lincoln questioned James Polk about his decision he asked me "Show me the spot where this happened." James ignored him and commanded the Congress to declare war on Mexico. And in results the Mexican-American War started and after it ends the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo was signed, which established the Rio Grande as border and the United States was able to buy California and New Mexico for fifteen million dollars! Even though we were able to gain territory by 1/3, but in the results from the war over 25,000 deaths and Mexico lost over 1/2 of their land.
If I were able to rate James Polk out of 10 stars I would give him 7/10, because the Mexican-American War shouldn't had not been started, but he started it anyway. This war should James Polk's selfish and greedy characteristic, but overall he indeed helped America to be where we are today. He was our first president to govern the United States that stretched from coast to coast. Even when American stretched even further he handle the nation very well.
Indeed James K. Polk was a "near great" president, as his accomplishments have changed America for the better. Under his presidency, Polk has led America to economically prosper and expanded its borders.
ReplyDeleteAfter beating Henry Clay to become the Democratic President of 1844, Polk immediately sought to restore the independent treasury that the Whigs had destroyed from the last presidency. He did so by lower the tariffs, having his secretary of Treasury create the Walker Tariff of 1846, a tariff for revenue bill that reduced rates of the Tariff of 1812 from 32% to 25%. By Polk's actions, America's economy prospered.
With the idea of the Manifest Destiny in many Americans' thoughts, Polk was determined to expand America's territories. After Texas gained independence from Mexico, it became a slave state in 1845. This would led to Americans wanting more land, eventually sparking the Mexican-American War of 1846. It was not his original intentions to have a war with Mexico, but America's lust for land was too powerful, once the battle was fought, America bought California and New Mexico out for $15 million. As a result, Polk became the first president to govern America from coast to coast, opening Pacific trade.
Though many would criticize Polk's actions, no one can argue against the many benefits that came from them. If it were not for Polk, America would not have the land we have today.
James Polk was a good president with great ideas of expansion. However, the actions he took to fulfill this dream were unjustified and greedy. Therefore, I do not agree that he deserves such a high ranking.
ReplyDeleteIn 1844, James K. Polk and Henry Clay ran for presidency. Clay was a popular Whig who had been defeated twice previously and the democrats had picked Polk. Polk was speaker of the House for four years and governor of Tennessee for two terms. He has experience in government. He won the election and became president. Polk believed in the idea of manifest destiny. He stated that it was “ ‘ Our manifest destiny to over spread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.’ ” Polk would do anything to expand the US.
Polk had a clear and concise plan. He wanted to lower tariffs, get California, restore the independent treasury and officialize a border for Oregon. He lowered tariffs from 32% to 25%. He settled the land disputes with Oregon at the 49 the parallel, which British proposed. This benefited the Americans rather than England. Polk wanted California and he would do anything to get it. Texas claimed their boundary was the Rio Grande but Mexico stated it was the Nueces River. Polk defended Texas and sent John Slidell to Meixco to buy California for $25 million. The Mexican government refused to see him.
Polk then ordered Zachary Taylor and 4000 men to march down to the Rio Grande, this provoked Mexican troops to kill 16 American men. This infuriated Polk and he then asked for Congress permission to declare war. Men in congress, such as Abraham Lincoln wanted to know where the bloods of American men were shed. Many knew that Taylor and his troops had over crossed the boundary of Texas and saw it as unjustified to start a war and take Mexico’s land. In the end, congress declared war on Mexico.
The US won the war and ended up paying only $18 million for California instead of the original $25 million they bargained for. Polk became the first president to govern from coast to coast. Though Polk’s forwardness may have helped American, the morals behind it were incorrect. He greedily took Mexico’s land because he wanted it for America. He thought it was our divine right to expand however, we wanted. Overall, I do not think Polk deserves the title of the near greatest president.
I would say that James K. Polk was definitely a "near great" President. Many of the thing he things that he did greatly benefitted our nation. However, the means by which Polk succeeded were not always right and just. That is what separates Polk from truly great Presidents.
ReplyDeletePolk had a 4-point plan for his presidency. He wanted to resolve the issue of the Oregon border, lower the tariff, replace the independent treasury, and acquire California. Polk successfully completed all 4 of his goals, all of which led to great economic prosperity and more potential for growth in the US.
What keeps Polk from being a great president is the selfish and immoral way in which he accomplished his goals. Polk stationed US troops along the Rio Grande. At the time this was unowned territory, but it was mostly settled by Mexicans. When the Mexican government killed some of the US soldiers, Polk used the 'fact' that Mexico had "spilled US blood on US soil" as ammunition to convince Congress to approve of the war he had provoked. In doing this, Polk pushed a much weaker Mexico into a war with a much stronger military.
What came of the Mexican-American War was the acquistion of California and New Mexico from the Mexican government for just $15 million. This war has been criticized for being started for unjust and immoral causes. Polk's faulty morals and selfishness are what keeps him from being considered a great president.
The statement "James K. Polk is one of America's near great presidents" is very much valid and I believe the Polk deserved to be so highly ranked because he not only strengthened the nation's economy, but also as a great believer of the Manifest Destiny, he expanded US territory.
ReplyDeletePolk laid out a 4-point mission for himself and managed to accomplish all 4 in his one term of presidency. First, with his secretary of treasury, Robert J Walker, he lowered the tariff from 32% to 25%. Even though industrialists complained about this at first, the new tariff brought about good times. Second, he also restored independent treasury in 1846 by putting money into non-government banks. Third, Polk settled the dispute regarding the Oregon border with England. Under him, America signed a treaty with Britain saying that the Oregon will be split at the 49th parallel. Under this treaty, America got the better end of the deal since America got more land. Last but not least, he got America California. In fact, he got America more than just California. Under his presidency, US doubled its territory. It was the first time the nation stretched from coast to shining coast.
After the annexation of Texas, US and Mexico were on bad terms, so when Polk sent Slidell to negotiate the sale of California, Mexico refused. Enraged, he sent Taylor and his troops to Rio Grande, provoking the Mexican troops who later killed 9 American soldiers. With that, Polk urged Congress to declare war on Mexico for refusing US California and for shedding American blood on American territory. Yes, he might've gotten America into the Mexican-American War, but from it, he also got us a great deal of land from the annexation of Mexico. With treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, the border between Mexico and America was set at Rio Grande and US bought California and New Mexico for only $15 million instead of the original $25 million. The new land obtained also benefitted the nation with the gold and silver.
All in all, Polk's presidency was very successful even though he only served for one term.
James K. Polk was one of “America’s near great presidents.” Polk created a positive four- point program and successfully accomplish all four points during his presidency. James K. Polk greatly improved our nation but the way in which he went about his improvements are questionable.
ReplyDeleteJames reduced the average rates of the Tariff from 32% to 25%. Although this tariff was not supported by the north the south greatly supported the lowered tariff. This tariff helped to build our nation’s economy and caused a boom of imports. Polk was also able to restore the independent treasury, which had been dropped by the Whigs in 1841.
Polk was also able to get the two territories he desired most: Oregon and California. Polk was able to acquire Oregon up to the 49th parallel. Despite the fact that many Americans argued for Polk the demand the border line be at the 54th parallel Polk decided to compromise with Britain, allowing no violence to occur.
James greatly desired to purchase California and acquire more land in the Texan area. Polk tried to purchase California but was upset when Mexico refused to negotiate. Therefore Polk sent troops to the Mexican- American border. Polk, through many questionable statements, was able to convince congress to declare war against Mexico.
Through the war America was able to gain a great amount of land, about one third of its previous size, the need for war really was not present. Polk was able to achieve great things during his presidency, but the lengths he went to takes away from his greatness.
-jordan tabor
ReplyDeletesorry i forgot to write my name!
I would disagree with this statement and rank James Polk on the lower end of the spectrum of "great presidents". Although he laid out a plan for his presidency and achieved it, his greediness outshined this and, in my mind, became a land hungry president.
ReplyDeletePolk, during his presidency, wanted to lower the tariff, restore the independent treasury, clear up the Oregon border issue, and get California. He lowered the tariff from 32% to 25% and despite warnings of doom from the industrialists, this was followed by good times. He also restored the independent treasury in 1846. The Oregon issue was resolved and the border was set at the 49th parallel.
When acquiring California, however, Polk catered to his own concerns. Polk sent General Zachary Taylor to the border with troops. The Americans thought the border was the Rio Grande, but the Mexicans didn't agree. Polk knew the Mexicans would be angry about the Americans on their land and knew they would attack. They did, killing 9. Polk immediately went to Congress and pushed for war. Congress obliged and the US went to war with Mexico, even though we were a much stronger country militarily and financially at the time. We ended up paying only 18,250,000 for the land from Texas to California when we had only originally planned to pay 25 million for California alone.
Deciding what to do with this territory in regards to slavery opened old wounds and paved the road to the Civil War. President Polk had a hand in this and he should not be considered a great president.
The statement that James K. Polk was “one of America’s near great presidents” is partially true. While the results of Polk’s presidency were indeed impressive, the means by which he achieved them were unscrupulous at best. Polk was an expansionist, firm in his belief of Manifest Destiny—the idea that the American people were destined to spread their institutions throughout all the Americas.
ReplyDeleteDuring his presidency, Polk succeeded in all of his main goals in his presidential plan. He procured a lower tariff, reducing the rates of the Tariff of 1842 from 32% to 25%, which proved to be an excellent revenue producer because it was followed by an economic boom and plentiful imports. He also restored the independent treasury in 1846.
But most importantly, Polk wanted the rich land of California and the settlement of the Oregon dispute without violence. Britain, who also had a strong claim to the territory, offered the 49th parallel as the border of Oregon. This compromise was peacefully accepted and all the land south of the line now belonged to the U.S.
The acquisition of California, however, was anything by peaceful. Polk had originally wanted to purchase this land for $25 million, but the offer was rejected by the insulted Mexicans. Angry with the refusal, Polk sent 4,000 troops under General Zachary Taylor to the disputed land of the Rio Grande, provoking the Mexican government. He had been planning on asking Congress to declare war on shaky terms, but instead, the Mexicans soldiers attacked General Taylor’s soldiers and war was quickly declared without need of Polk’s threadbare reasons. The Mexican-American War was horribly one-sided. On February 2, 1848, both sides signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which gave Texas to America and yielded the land west to the Pacific Ocean, including all of California, for $15 million. This was approximately a half of Mexico.
James K. Polk was, despite his methods, a greatly influential president, helping the economy and increasing the land of the United States by a third, stretching America from sea to sea.
I agree with the above statement that James Polk is one of the nation's greatest presidents to a certain degree. James Polk accomplished many things during his presidency which helped America a lot. He lowered tariff rates, put the U.S into non government banks, cleared up the Oregan boundary lines, and obtained the state of California. Although he accomplished many things for the United States, he made many decisions that will tarnish his image of being a great president.
ReplyDeleteUnder President James Polk, the United States was in pretty good condition. James Polk lowered the tariff from 32% to 25%. After James Polk had lowered the tariffs, good times followed after it. James Polk also settled the Oregan boundary. The British and Americans were arguing over what was the boundary line between the two. Issues were finally solved when the British proposed to make the boundary at the 49th parallel. The Americans ended up getting the better deal because the 49th parallel gave the Americans more land than the British.
President James Polk was also an expansionist. He wanted more land for the U.S. President Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico City to buy the land for 25 million dollars. The Mexicans were unhappy with Americans and refused to negotiate with them. This angered James Polk because he really wanted California. James Polk then sent troops to Mexico City to provoke the Mexicans. 16 U.S citizens were found killed, and thus this started the Mexican-American War. A war in my opinion that should've never started. The only reason why it started was because of James Polk's selfish needs to expand.
Although James Polk accomplished many things during his presidency, the last thing that he did ruined his image. In my opinion, he basically started the Mexican-American War, and thus this event killed many people and made many suffer.
"Young Hickory" Polk was technically a successful president. Yet the ends do not justify the means, and because of his shameless tactics it is wrong to label him as even a near-great president.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, James K. Polk accomplished all the main goals of his presidency. He reduced the rates of the protective Tariff of 1842 from 32% to 25%. The New England and middle states complained loudly that the measure would destroy the manufacturing industry. However, the tariff's reduction did not devastate the American economy, north or south. Polk also succeeded in overcoming Whig opposition to re-establish an independent treasury. Lastly, and most significantly, Polk succeeded in his relentless goal of gaining territory in Texas, California, and Oregon.
Polk reached an agreement with Britain for the border of Oregon, though not at the 54th parallel he had promised in his campaign. This boundary agreement was decided legitimately enough. However, Polk's foreign policies with Mexico were not so diplomatic. At first, he sent John Slidell to buy California for $25 million. The offer was snubbed, but Polk was not so easily deterred. He sent four thousand soldiers into territory inhabited by Mexicans, deliberately coercing Mexico into a war it could not win. Instead of taking the territory he desired in overt conquest, Polk provoked Mexico into firing the first shots. This crime was both heinous and, as Abraham Lincoln noted, unconstitutional. As if intentionally provoking a war in order to gain territory was not terrible enough, Polk lied outright to convince Congress to declare war, saying that "War exists, notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico herself..." Indeed, Polk is not the only president who has lied to start a war. Yet such an action is inexcusable in any situation.
James K. Polk did succeed in his goals, but he did so via illicit, dishonest, and unconstitutional means. Therefore, it is impossible to label him as a "great president" or even a near-great one. Rather, he is a disgrace to the history of the American presidency.
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ReplyDeleteWhile James K. Polk probably does not rank among the very greatest presidents to ever hold office in the United States, he certainly would be considered to be a high-caliber executive who dedicated time and money to the advancement of the country. Through an analysis of his presidency, one arrives at the conclusion that Polk certainly was one of the near-great presidents in this country’s history. He named expansion as his primary goal in becoming president and delivered on this promise. Polk had many other focuses but the main events surrounding his presidency were the annexation of Texas and his acquisition of the territories of Oregon and California.
ReplyDeleteWhen Polk entered office, he inherited the former administration’s promise to allow Texas to join the union. In the years leading up to the time of Polk’s presidency Texas’s population had grown more white, leading to a call within the territory for its incorporation into the United States. Mexican opposition to this demand led to the armed conflict known as the Mexican American war. The war lasted just under two years, and has served as one of the defining points of Polk’s presidency. Along with the acquisition of Mexico, an important outcome of the war was the establishment of the Rio Grande as the principal border between the United States and Mexico. Polk effectively handled and won the war for America, showcasing his ability as a strong leader.
Polk also was the first president to govern from west coast to the east coast of the continental United States. Delivering more on his promise for expansion, Polk negotiated his way to the purchase of California from Mexico as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe in 1848. This purchase marked the first time the country truly stretched from east coast to west coast and added to the power and potential of the developing nation. Additionally, Polk expanded even further by gaining the Oregon territory from Great Britain and avoided war in the process. These territories were invaluable with respect to the United States’ development as an international power.
Polk, because of his ability to handle foreign disputes and expand the country physically, certainly ranks among the near great presidents to rule this country. Polk was aggressive in the pursuit of the goals that he promised to the American people. He does not quite classify as highly as George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, for example, but he certainly improved the country in a long lasting way.
James Polk is one of Americas “near great presidents”. He had plans in place from the beginning of his term to help America grow economically and in terms of size.
ReplyDeleteWhile the Mexican-American war was not fought for the best of reasons, it made America have both coasts in North American and made Polk the first president to rule from sea to sea. Polk also lowered tariffs in 1832 which helped ease the growing tensions between the north and the south. He also reinstated an independent treasury which put funds into corporate banks instead of government banks. While many of his plans were for selfish reasons there is no denying that without his accomplishments we would not be the country we are today.
I believe that James K. Polk was one of the better presidents of the United States. Polk set the four-point mission plan for himself, followed through, and achieved it all one by one. Polk had the vision and determination to get what he wanted for the nation, and that makes him a good president.
ReplyDeletePresident Polk lowered the much hated tariff from 32% that was established in the Tariff of 1842 down to 25%. Although there were still complaints and unsatisfaction, the tariff caused no problems, and made the financial situation better for a lot of people.
Also during Polk's presidency, the Independent treasury was restored, and the nation's money was put into non-government affiliated banks.
James Polk settled the dispute for hte Oregon territory after bargains and treaties, and finally, was settled at the 49th parallel. Through this, the U.S. ended up wtih more land than the British. Polk also wanted to pull California into the Union, which he achieved through provoking the Mexican-American War.
General Zachary Taylor was ordered to march the troops into the long disputed Oregon Territory, and Mexicans shot and killed 9 American soldier. Polk used this as an excuse to make Congress agree to declare war now that Mexico has opened fire. This is also when Abraham Lincoln got his nickname of "Spotty" for his Spot Compromise. So the war was fought, and as a result of it, America obtained California, New Mexico, taking half of Mexico's land.
Although the tactics and excuses Polk used to achieve his goals were not always reasonable, it was because he was determined to get what he wanted no matter what. In addition, his decisions were good for the nation, and nothing terrible happened. So I think James K. Polk was a fine president.
James K. Polk, I believe, does not deserve to be ranked among the nation's "near great presidents” because the actions he took during his presidency were greedy and unjustified.
ReplyDeletePresident Polk did do some good things for the United States during his presidency though. He was the 11th president of the United States and was Speaker of the House from 1835-1839 and Governor of Tennessee prior to being president. Polk lowered the 32% Tariff of 1842 to a much more reasonable 25%, which greatly helped the economy of the United States. He also restored the independent treasury of the United States and put the country's money into non-government banks, which also helped the economy. The United States grew economically, socially, and most geographically.
Polk believed in the idea of manifest destiny. His dream was to have the US stretch from “sea to shining sea” and went to great lengths to achieve it. He wanted California, which was at the time part of Mexico. Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico to buy California for 25 million dollars, but the Mexican government refused to see him. Polk, frustrated, ordered Zachary Taylor and 4000 men to march down to the Rio Grande. This provoked Mexican troops to kill 16 American men on United States territory, according to Polk. Polk then pressured Congress to declare war on Mexico supposedly in reaction to the shootings. American ended up winning the war and paid Mexico 18 million dollars for California, 7 million dollars less than then what Polk originally offered to pay.
It’s obvious that Polk only wanted to go to war to steal Mexico’s territory (California), not in response to the death of the Americans on the boarder. James K. Polk was greedy and I do not think the actions he took were always in the best interest for the United States. He should not be considered one of the nation's "near great presidents”.
I believe that James K. Polk was one of America's near greatest presidents. James K. Polk increased the United State’s land mass and bettered the United State’s economy.
ReplyDeleteDuring James K Polk’s presidency Polk was faced with the American-Mexican War of 1846. Polk supported Texas’ decision of increasing their border to the Rio Grande and convinced Congress to declare war on Mexico. As a result of the Mexican-American War that Polk continuously pressed for was the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. As a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico ceded 525,000 square miles of land to the United States in exchange for $15 million. The land gained by the United States included California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas.
James K. Polk improved the United State’s economy during his Presidency by lowering the tariffs of 1832. Also Polk signed the Walker Tariff in 1846 which was one of the lowest tariffs in American history. Lastly, Polk restored the independent treasury that was destroyed by the Whigs.
James K. Polk’s presidency was full of obstacles which he cleverly overcame. Polk improved the economy and gained a large amount of valuable land for the United States.
I belive that james k polk was actually one of the better presidents of our countrys great history. For starters he helped our economoy immensly and made it a lot better. He also expanded the united states by gaining california, nevada, utah, arizona, new mexico, and texas while he was president. he fixed the treasury which was obliterated by the whigs and he improved tariffs and established the walker tariff which was one of the lowest tariffs in US history. He also supported texas in their fight against mexico and as a result of this war against mexico there was the signing of the treaty of guadalupe hidalgo where mxico surrendered 525000 square miles of land to the us for 15 million dollars. Over all he was good because he stimulated the american economy and increased the number of states and land in our country.
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