James K. Polk Influence

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James K. Polk played a very important role in the formation of America’s political boundaries. He helped to speed up the process of Manifest Destiny by acquiring many new territories for the United States, and he accomplished many other important goals for our nation. James K. Polk was born on November 2nd, 1795 to a very large family in Mecklenburg, North Carolina. A few years later, Polk and his family moved to Columbia, Tennessee where his father became a businessman. As a child, Polk was often very sick, and he struggled as a child with illnesses such as urinary stones. James K. Polk enrolled in the University of North Carolina and he studied law. He was an assiduous student, and he quickly rose to the top. In 1823, Polk was elected into the House of Representatives for Tennessee. He served for seven terms and was the main speaker for his state because he was such an excellent rhetorician.
In 1844, James K. Polk became the nominee for …show more content…
Polk was able to achieve all of his goals and more. He was able to obtain many new lands and territories such as California, Nevada, and Texas. He was able to create a new independent United States Treasury, lower tariffs, and establish peace between Mexico and the United States. Even though Polk was an amazing leader and President, he made a promise to himself before serving as President. He promised that he would only serve one term, and that he would not run for a second term. So on March 4th, 1848, Polk retired at the age of 53. In 1849, Polk returned to his home, Polk Place, in Nashville, Tennessee. After Polk’s Presidency, he was left in poor health from the stresses of being a leader, and he was very excited to finally take a break from the stressful life of a President. But only three months after Polk had retired, he passed away on June 15th, 1849 due to cholera that he had contracted in New Orleans. Polk’s body was moved from his home in Polk Place cemetery to a sepulcher in the Nashville state
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