Polk's Four Goals
James K. Polk set four goals entering his presidency. The first was to lower taxes on abominations. The second was to establish and independent treasury. The third goal was to obtain the Oregon Territory from Great Britain. The final goal was to acquire California and Texas from Mexico.
The ResultsTexas joined the country as the 28th state during President Polk's first year in office.
He avoided war with Great Britain and peacefully acquired the Oregon Territory south of the 49th parallel. After the two-year Mexican-American War, California and New Mexico were ceded to the United States. Polk successfully established an independent Federal Treasury and managed to lower tariffs. |