Walter Borneman and Robert Merry, both accomplished authors on James K. Polk, dive deep into the surprisingly successful presidency of this often-overlooked leader. They explore Polk's bold goals, such as acquiring Oregon and California, and the complexities of the Mexican-American War. Discussions range from the political landscape of 1844 to the fervor of Manifest Destiny. With tantalizing insights, they assess the transformative impact of Polk’s presidency on American expansionism and identity, illustrating the gap between his achievements and modern perceptions.
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insights INSIGHT
Redefining Presidential Success
Defining presidential success as fully achieving all goals changes the contenders.
Washington, Lincoln, and FDR all faced setbacks that prevent them from being considered perfectly successful.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Polk's Accomplishments
James K. Polk achieved all four of his stated presidential goals.
These included acquiring Oregon and California, reducing tariffs, and establishing an independent treasury.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Borneman's Polk Biography
Walter Borneman initially intended to write about the election of 1844.
His research led him to write a biography of James K. Polk.
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This book offers a comprehensive history of the United States from the Battle of New Orleans to the end of the Mexican–American War. It explores the political, social, economic, and cultural changes during this period, including the rise of mass political parties, the impact of new communication and transportation technologies, and the influence of religious movements such as the Second Great Awakening. The book also delves into the roles of key figures like Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams, and it highlights the intersection of politics, religion, and social reform movements, including women's rights and abolition.
The New Imperial Presidency
A compléter
A country of vast designs
Robert Merry
This book explores the presidency of James K. Polk, particularly his role in the Mexican-American War and the expansion of the United States. It delves into Polk's political ambitions, including his successful efforts to acquire Oregon and California, and his impact on American history. The work provides insight into Polk's leadership style and the broader context of Manifest Destiny.
Polk
Walter Borneman
Walter R. Borneman's biography of James K. Polk provides an engaging look at how Polk's leadership reshaped the nation. Polk achieved four key goals during his presidency: resolving the Oregon territory dispute, acquiring California and New Mexico, reducing tariffs, and establishing an independent treasury. His presidency significantly expanded U.S. territory and enhanced the power of the presidency, but it also had complex ethical implications, particularly regarding slavery and the Mexican-American War.
Who is the most successful president in American history? George Washington secured American independence. Abraham Lincoln preserved the union and ended slavery. Franklin D. Roosevelt ended the Depression, remade government, and won World War II. But if we define "success" as the ability to articulate your goals and achieve every single one of them, perhaps only one president in American history was ever perfectly successful.
In 1845, James K. Polk, newly elected by a whisker-thin margin, confided to his friend George Bancroft the four goals of his four years in the White House.
Acquire Oregon from Great Britain.
Acquire California from Mexico.
Reduce the tariff.
Establish an independent treasury.
Four years later, he'd done all this and more. As the historian Daniel Patrick Howe wrote, "Judged by these objectives, Polk is probably the most successful president the United States has ever had.” And that’s why Polk is the subject of today’s show. I don’t think another president in American history has so large a gap between his modern reputation and his actual achievement.
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