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1795-1849

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Who Was James Polk?

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Early Life and Political Career

Nomination and Presidency

Later Years and Death

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Who Was James Polk?

James Polk was the 11th and then-youngest president of the United States upon taking office in 1845. Polk’s annexation of Texas led to the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), and the U.S. victory thereby led to the acquisition of large territories in the Southwest and along the Pacific coast, which in turn led to the establishment of the Department of the Interior. The northern border of the United States was also established under Polk, as were the Naval Academy and the Smithsonian. He died on June 15, 1849, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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FULL NAME: James Knox Polk

BORN: November 2, 1795

DIED: June 15,

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