1. #11 – James K. Polk

2. #11 – James K. Polk Born: November 2, 1795
Birthplace: Mecklenberg County, North Carolina
Term:
Political Party: Democrat
Children: none
Died: June 15, 1849

3. #11 – James K. Polk 1815: attended the University of North Carolina.
1818: graduated the top of his class.
: Studied law and admitted to the bar (lawyer). Moves to Tennessee.
Jan. 1, 1824: Married Sarah Childress
: member of the state legislature in Tennessee.
: elected a U.S. representative from Tennessee.

4. #11 – James K. Polk 1835-39: Speaker of the House of Representatives
: Governor of Tennessee
: Elected the 11th President of the United States.

5. Offers to purchase California and New Mexico for 25 million dollars, Mexico refuses.
Border dispute – Mexico believed that the border of US and Mexico was the Nueces river. The US believes it was the Rio Grande.

6. 1846-48: Mexican - American War: Commander in Chief during the Mexican War.
General Zachary Taylor defeats Mexican army at the Battle of Buena Vista.

7. Polk was afraid that Taylor was getting to popular so he demoted him and placed General Winfield Scott to replace him.
March 1847: Battle of Mexico City – 10,000 troops and marched to Mexico City. A fierce battle took place where the US was outnumbered. However, US troops were victorious.

8. 1846: Oregon Country: Britain and the US agree to split the Oregon Territory. The US and Canadian border will remain at the 49 parallel line.
1846: Wilmot Proviso. Does not allow slavery in any territories taken form Mexico. Passed the House but not the Senate. This shows the country is divided over slavery.

9. 1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed – ends the Mexican War
1848: Mexican Cession: Mexico was persuaded to give the US California, Nevada, Utah, as well as parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming for 15 million dollars.

10. 1849: resigns as President
1849:Dies only three months after he resigns as President – Heart Failure

11. Interesting Facts:
1845: Boundary dispute with Mexico – should the border be the Rio Grande or the Nueces River?
1845: U.S. Naval Academy established at Annapolis, Maryland.
1846: U.S declares war with Mexico
1846: Oregon country dispute solved
1846: Wilmot Proviso passed - does not allow slavery in the new territories taken from the Republic of Mexico.
1846: Sewing machine invented – Richard Hoe, U.S.
1846: rotary printing press invented – Richard Hoe.

12. 1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed - ends the Mexican War
1848: Mexican Cession: costs 15,000,000 dollars.
1847: Mormons settle Salt Lake City, Utah.
1848: Gold discovered in California
States admitted:
1845 – Texas – slave state
1846 – Iowa – free state
1848 – Wisconsin – free state
30 states in the Union (half slave and half free)