Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: "American Blood on American Soil"
President James Polk's desire was for the United States to stretch from sea to shining sea. See what happened when his overatures to Mexico to buy the land north of the Rio Grande River were spurned. Take a brief vote to see if Polk was...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: 54 40 or Fight
See how James Polk's plan to claim the Oregon Territory, which had been shared with Great Britain since 1818, led him to victory with the slogan, Fifty-four forty or fight. Read about the settlers who traveled the Oregon Trail and why...
University of Groningen
American History: Presidents: James Knox Polk
Inaugural speech and four State of the Union Addresses by President James Knox Polk.
Other
Potus: James K. Polk
Comprehensive facts about James K. Polk and his presidency. Includes biography, election results, cabinet members, odd facts, and notable events.
PBS
James Knox Polk 1795 1849
This brief summary covers major aspects of Polk's presidency, including his support of Andrew Jackson's policies.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: James Polk
The eleventh President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1845 to March 3, 1849. Polk was born in Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, but mostly lived in and represented state of Tennessee.
Curated OER
James Polk
Biographical site about former president James K. Polk. Read on to learn about his presidency and view a picture of him.
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: bartleby.com: Presidential Inaugural Address: James Knox Polk
Read the text of the speech given by James K. Polk at his inauguration on March 4, 1845.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: James K. Polk
James K. Polk was the "dark horse" candidate in the presidential election. To learn more about this president, the Library of Congress has a site complete with actual cartoons of the time.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Conflict of Cultures: President Polk and the Taking of the West
Lesson and activity on conflict of cultures in which students study U.S. overtaking lands of Mexico and California and form policy on property rights and citizenship of conquered cultures. Activity guidelines, questions for discussion...
American Presidency Project
American Presidency Project: State of the Union Addresses and Messages
This site compiles all of the State of the Union addresses and messages by all the presidents in U.S. history (except William Henry Harrison and James A. Garfield).
Library of Congress
Loc: Portraits of the Presidents & First Ladies
A collection from the Library of Congress of formal and informal portraits of the US presidents and their first ladies.
White House Historical Association
The White House Historical Association: The Presidents
Complete biographies and photos of all past presidents.
Digital History
Digital History: War With Mexico [Pdf]
Read about the reasons President James Polk presented to Congress as justification for a declaration of war against Mexico. Find Polk's war message and the rebuttal by Congressman Davis.
Other
Global Security: 54 40 or Fight
Describes the significant territorial changes that took place in the United States under the presidency of James K. Polk. These included the annexation of Texas, the settling of the dispute with Great Britain over claims to Oregon...
American Presidency Project
American Presidency Project: Election of 1844
Online resource that provides detailed data for the presidential election of 1844 won by Democratic candidate, James K. Polk.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Hard Road to Texas 1836 1845: The Final Showdown the Crisis
The opposition against Texas' annexation was strong, and supporters faced challenges between Polk's election and inauguration. What lead up to the passing of the Texas annexation? Check out primary texts to explore this time in Texas'...
Other
Chicago Tribune: Presidential Portraits: James K. Polk [Pdf]
One-page illustrated profile of James K. Polk itemizes select biographical facts and key events of his presidency.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Biography of President James K. Polk for Kids
Study the biography of the 11th president of the United States named James K. Polk.
Google Cultural Institute
Google Cultural Institute: James K. Polk
This visual website from Google Cultural Institute shares background information and photos about James K. Polk.
Lone Star Junction
Lone Star Junction: Archives of the West: Resolution Annexing Texas to the u.s.
Read the U.S. Congressional resolution approving the annexation of the Republic of Texas to the United States. Links are provided to additional sites.
Other
Georgia's Blue and Gray Trail Presents: Election of 1848
An extensive look at the election of 1848 including information about the conventions, the parties which elected candidates, the platforms, and the outcome. From the Civil War Encyclopedia.
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Mexican American War, 1846 1848
After reading this section of a chapter on "Westward Expansion," students will be able to identify the causes of the Mexican-American War and describe the outcomes of the war in 1848 and the effect of the California Gold Rush on westward...
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: The Mexican War and After
This site from the U.S. Army's Center of Military History offers a detailed account of the Mexican War and its important battles as well as a description of what occurred after the war.