The Life And Accomplishments Of President James K. Polk

James K Polk, a very successful president, served as our 11th U.S. president from 1845 to 1849. Although he only served for one term, Polk became recognized for his great accomplishments such as extending the U.S. across the continent for the first time. James Polk, a Democrat who was almost unknown in the realm of politics, also ran for president of the United States in the hopes of becoming vice president but became a presidential nominee by accident. Immediately after winning the 1844 presidential election, Polk made a clear stance of his goals as leader to cut tariffs, reestablish an independent U.S. Treasury, secure Oregon territory, and to acquire California and New Mexico from Mexico. With these four major goals as president, James entered

As a child, James had rough experiences such as being prone to illnesses making him unable to attend school regularly. As a result, James’ mother decided home schooling would be the best option for him to continue his education without falling behind. A couple years later, after James had gotten surgery to remove his urinary stones causing his sicknesses, James’ mother decided to admit him at the Zion Church close to home. A year later, he transferred to Murfreesboro where he then stood out as a very advanced student. Two years after he once again changed schools and attended to the University of North Carolina where he graduated with honors in the year of 1818. After graduation, he found work with a very successful trial attorney in Nashville. His work involving politics began in 1823 when he joined the Tennessee legislature where he also first met Andrew Jackson. Polk served seven terms in congress between 1825 and 1839 before becoming president. Following his presidential election in 1828, Polk became Andrew Jackson’s greatest

While this system lasted a significantly long amount of time, it would eventually be brought down by the Federal Reserve Act made in 1913. This act was initially issued in the year of 1840; however, the Whig-conquering Congress had repealed it within the next year. The act was also made to be a replacement for the Second Bank of the United States. Beginning with reducing tariffs, James cut tariffs in 1845 in an effort to stimulate trade and resulted in creating an independent U.S. Treasury. Robert J. Walker, James’ secretary of treasury, firstly thought of reducing tariffs much more lower than Polk had intentions. Since tariff rates were so low, many southerners and western people supported Walker’s idea. The Walker Tariff lowered tariff rates from 32% to 25% while also boosting trade. It also dropped the policy of an ad valorem rate or in other words, the percent of the value of goods. James K Polk fixed four major goals to complete during his presidency, and stayed true to his word. He nearly accomplished all of his set goals such as the addition of the Oregon Territory, California, and the Territory of New Mexico making America grow by more