Dems --> James Knox Polk America’s first dark horse candidate or Surprise candidate Dark Horse, but he was experienced. 4 years as Speaker of the House and 2 terms as governor of Tennessee A determined, industrious, ruthless, and intelligent politician

Whigs  Henry Clay One of the most popular politicians in the country. Whigs gladly nominated him to for president

Manifest Destiny The idea that countless Americans sensed that the Almighty God had destined for them the right to control all of the continent and that the Americans would at the very least spread their uplifting and ennobling institutions from the Atlantic to the Pacific. During the Election of 1844, it played a vital part in the campaign.

Democratic Concerns 54°50’ and Reoccupation of Oregon Reannexation of Texas Democrats were swayed by Manifest Destiny Labeled Clay as a “corrupt bargainer”, a dissolute character, and a slave owner.

Whig Concerns Slogans such as –Hooray for Clay –Polk, Slavery, and Texas, or Clay Union, and Liberty. Started lie that slaves from Tennessee were branded with J.K.P. Funny they both claimed the other was a slave owner when both owned slaves.

1844 Campaign Flag

Liberty Party  James Birney Only gained 2% of the popular vote, but they did well-enough in New York to guarantee a win for Polk by siphoning off votes from Clay and the Whigs.

1844 Election Results

“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.

“JAME S K. POLK” by They Might Be Giants In 1844, the Democrats were split The three nominees for the presidential candidate Were Martin Van Buren, a former president and an abolitionist James Buchanan, a moderate Lewis Cass, a general and expansionist From Nashville came a dark horse riding up He was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump!

Austere, severe, he held few people dear His oratory filled his foes with fear The factions soon agreed He's just the man we need To bring about victory Fulfill our Manifest Destiny And annex the land the Mexicans command And when the votes were cast the winner was Mister James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump!

In four short years he met his every goal He seized the whole southwest from Mexico Made sure the tariffs fell And made the English sell the Oregon Territory He built an independent treasury Having done all this he sought no second term But precious few have mourned the passing of Mister James K. Polk, our eleventh president “Young Hickory,” Napoleon of the Stump!

1.Lower the tariff. 2.Resolve the Oregon boundary dispute. 3.Restore the independent treasury. 4.Acquire California. 5. MuxMKNtdEg (39.00) MuxMKNtdEg Goals of Polk’s 4 Point Plan

Walker Tariff of 1846 Robert J. Walker, Secretary of the Treasury got the tariff reduced from 32% to 25%. Many supporters of Clay and the New England and middle states complained it would ruin American manufacturing However, proved to be a good revenue producer. Polk also reestablished the independent Treasury in So goal 1 and 2 accomplished easily.