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A pro-Democrat cartoon shows Polk, the expansionist candidate, and the collapse of Whig opposition to the addition of Texas
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James K. Polk Is Elected 11th President of the United States
November 5, 1844
Winning by a narrow margin, Polk campaigned on his strong support for westward expansion, a hotly debated issue that was dodged by other candidates. After taking office, Polk acted swiftly to fulfill his campaign promises, as he intended to serve only one term. In four years, he oversaw the addition of Texas, the reestablishment of an independent treasury system, and the acquisition of territory from Mexico. This new land from Mexico eventually became California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. This new land came just in time for the discovery of gold in California in 1848.
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