James K. Polk's Presidency Overview

James K. Polk, the 11th U.S. President, served from 1845 to 1849. His presidency was marked by significant territorial expansion, including the annexation of Texas and the acquisition of California and the Southwest following the Mexican-American War. Polk was a proponent of Manifest Destiny and achieved all his major goals, including reducing tariffs and establishing an independent treasury. He was a one-term president and died shortly after leaving office. His early life in North Carolina and Tennessee, political career, and legacy are also discussed.

What was one of the major achievements of James K. Polk's presidency?

• Abolishing slavery

• Ending the Civil War

• Expanding U.S. territory by more than one-third

• Establishing the United Nations

Where was James K. Polk born?

• Mecklenburg, North Carolina

• Columbia, Tennessee

• Nashville, Tennessee

• Richmond, Virginia

Who was James K. Polk's political mentor?

• Andrew Jackson

• Thomas Jefferson

• Martin Van Buren

• Henry Clay

What nickname did James K. Polk earn due to his association with Andrew Jackson?

• The Little Giant

• The Great Compromiser

• Young Hickory

• Old Hickory

In which year did James K. Polk become the Democratic nominee for President?

• 1840

• 1844

• 1848

• 1852

Who was James K. Polk's opponent in the 1844 presidential election?

• Zachary Taylor

• Millard Fillmore

• John Quincy Adams

• Henry Clay

What was one of the key goals of Polk's presidency?

• To establish a national healthcare system

• To secure the Oregon Territory

• To end the Mexican-American War

• To abolish the national banking system

Which war occurred during Polk's presidency?

• The Civil War

• The Spanish-American War

• The War of 1812

• The Mexican-American War

What was the result of the Oregon Treaty of 1846?

• The U.S. gained control of present-day Washington, Oregon, and Idaho

• The U.S. gained control of California

• The U.S. gained control of Texas

• The U.S. gained control of Florida

What was a significant domestic achievement during Polk's presidency?

• Establishing the Federal Reserve

• Creating an independent U.S. Treasury

• Abolishing the Electoral College

• Founding the Department of Homeland Security