Part 1 of Essay
Biography of James Polk (11th President) Often called the first "dark horse" (because no one counted on him to become president in the 1944 election) President James K. Polk was the last of the Jacksonians to sit in the White House, and the last strong President until the Civil war. He was born in Mecklenburg County, N. ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... should be "re-annexed" and all of Oregon "re-occupied." The aged Jackson, correctly sensing that the people favored expansion, urged the choices of a candidate committed to the Nations "Manifest Destiny." This view prevailed at the Democratic Convention, where Polk was nominated on the ninth ballot. Even before he could take office, Congress passed a joint resolution offering annexation to Texas. In so doing they took away the possibility of Polk having a war with Mexico, which soon served diplomatic ....