Dems --> James Knox Polk

““5454ºº 40’, or 40’, or Fight!”Fight!”

Whigs Henry Clay

1844 Campaign Flag

Liberty Party James Birney

“Texas Coming In”

Texas (the beast): I fear I cannot carry you into the Presidential Chair.

Polk: Dear Texas, I knew you cannot—I wish I had rode some

other horse but it is too late to repent.

1844 Election Results

“JAMES K. POLK”by They Might Be Giants

In 1844, the Democrats were splitThe three nominees for the presidential candidateWere Martin Van Buren, a former president and an abolitionistJames Buchanan, a moderateLewis Cass, a general and expansionistFrom Nashville came a dark horse riding upHe was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump!

“JAMES K. POLK”by They Might Be Giants

Austere, severe, he held few people dearHis oratory filled his foes with fearThe factions soon agreedHe's just the man we needTo bring about victoryFulfill our Manifest DestinyAnd annex the land the Mexicans commandAnd when the votes were cast the winner wasMister James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump!

“JAMES K. POLK”by They Might Be Giants

In four short years he met his every goalHe seized the whole southwest from MexicoMade sure the tariffs fellAnd made the English sell the Oregon TerritoryHe built an independent treasuryHaving done all this he sought no second termBut precious few have mourned the passing ofMister James K. Polk, our eleventh president“Young Hickory,” Napoleon of the Stump!

1. Lower the tariff.

2. Resolve the Oregon boundarydispute.

3. Restore the independent treasury.

4. Acquire California.

Goals of Polk’s Administration