11th President of the United States

James K. Polk

“Young Hickory”

In office

March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849

Party

Democratic

Home state

Tennessee

Lived

1795–1849

Days in office

1,461

In order

No. 11: after John Tyler, before Zachary Taylor

Vice president

George M. Dallas

Key achievements & events

• Won the Mexican-American War; gained California and the Southwest (1848)
• Settled the Oregon border with Britain at the 49th parallel (1846)
• Restored the Independent Treasury and lowered tariffs
• Expanded the country by over a million square miles

Remember: He promised to serve only one term and kept his word. He died about three months after leaving office.