Introduction
Several notable events marked the 11th presidency of the United States by James Knox Polk. An unlikely president, criticized by the Whig Party opposition before, throughout, and after his term, Polk worked relentlessly to accomplish his goals. Among them were the Mexican American War and the downward adjustment of the tariffs. Despite Polk’s undeniable achievements, his presidency opens up space for much criticism as well.
Goals and Achievements
Polk set out to accomplish a couple of goals in his term. In his inaugural address, Polk underscored as his primary aim the restoration of union and peace by “increasing family of free and independent states” (Polk, Inaugural Address). What was meant by this goal was the westward expansion of the US territories adjacent to Mexico, creating most of the American boundaries as they are known today (McCormac 373). As a result of the Mexican American War of 1846-1848, much of the Southwest and far West, including California, Oregon, and New Mexico territories, got adjoined (McCormac 416). Polk stated that he wanted to “terminate the existing war with the least possible delay” but would continue “until a treaty of peace shall be signed by the parties and ratified by the Mexican Republic” (Message Regarding Settlement with Mexico). This accomplishment resulted in substantial changes to the territory and bore some political implications later.
Additionally, Polk has made notable advances in spurring foreign trade in the US. In the same inaugural speech, he stated his other duty to “to enforce… the strictest economy in the expenditure of the public money” by adjusting the “tariff revenue” (Polk, Inaugural Address). Specifically, his passage of the Walker Tariff Act lowered the import duties, which helped foreign trade significantly and increased federal government revenues (Price 79). In 1846, Polk re-established the independent treasury system for public funds, which helped solve some domestic finance problems (Price 79). Altogether, these actions helped the US overcome some of its previous struggles with international trade.
Shortcoming and Failures
The Mexican-American war was a subject that was hotly contested and discussed by many. While Polk rarely admitted any shortcomings, he admitted that the “reopening of diplomatic relations” between Mexico and the US by sending an envoy was a failure (War Message to Congress). In the same speech, Polk acknowledged his “duty to state… the origin, progress, and failure of that mission” (War Message to Congress). However, upon detailing sending an envoy “to adjust every existing difference,” he promptly blamed the Mexican government (Polk, War Message to Congress). Polk contended that the Mexican government “refused to… listen to his propositions” and “invaded our territory and shed the blood of our fellow citizens” (War Message to Congress). Thus, although Polk seemingly admitted the shortcomings of US diplomacy in this dispute, his message was that Mexico was to blame.
Criticisms
The election and the term of Polk were, like perhaps any presidency, not spared of some scathing. When Polk was nominated for the presidency, the New England Whig Party ridiculed the decision as he was barely known in the political field. Subsequently, Whig Party criticized Polk’s action for ensuring the Mexican American War, even though the US won it under his presidency. Several years after the war, former president Ulysses Grant referred to the war as “the most unjust war ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation” (Spring). Polk’s successor and former General Zachary Taylor remarked that his presidency would be dedicated “to the welfare of the whole country, and not to the support of any particular section or merely local interest” (Taylor, Inaugural Address). It can be inferred that Taylor referred to Polk’s action in the war, disapproving of Polk’s priorities.
Honesty of Discussions
Moreover, some of the policy discussions that Polk perpetuated may be subject to criticism regarding their objectivity. The already discussed ingenuity in the position regarding Mexico shows especially clearly when evaluating the initial goals. Polk stated that his aim in foreign politics was “to observe a careful respect for the rights of other nations” (Inaugural Address). Regardless, the war with Mexico was perpetuated until a large part of its territory was acquired, which does not align with the notion of ‘careful respect.’ However, it is possible that he believed that the US had done all it could to establish diplomatic relations with Mexico.
Attitudes Towards Mexico
Throughout Polk’s presidency, one of the US’s significant ambitions in foreign politics was acquiring additional territories. As a nation standing in the way of that, Mexico was regarded first as an obstacle and then as an enemy. In addressing the Congress with the announcement of war, Polk describes “the long-continued and unredressed wrongs and injuries committed by the Mexican Government on citizens of the United States in their persons and property” (War Message to Congress). The US was depicted as a peaceful nation that “carefully avoided” anything that could “inflame the people of Mexico or defeat or delay a pacific result” (War Message to Congress). Thus, the attitudes toward the Mexican government and citizens were to see them as perpetrators of aggression, even though Mexican lands were taken over.
Attitudes Regarding Slavery
Regardless of Polk’s achievements, there are numerous aspects on which he is criticized. While the southern politicians insisted on implementing slavery anywhere in the new territories, Polk publicly empathized with the enslaved people (Brooks and Starks 40). However, as Mann contends, Polk did not believe that the federal government could limit slavery in the acquired territories (Mann). During his term, Polk kept his use of slave labor for plantations in secret, knowing the attitudes of the abolitionist movement regarding slave owners and fearing a public outcry (Mann). Therefore, Polk did not take any active action to deal with the issue of slavery.
Civil War Anticipation
As a result of Polk’s inaction regarding the issue of slavery, the tensions in the country were high. Regardless of his knowledge of abolitionism, Polk failed to address the westward slavery expansion and left it largely unresolved by the end of his term in 1849 (Mann). Tensions over the spread of slavery contributed immensely to the sectional divisions and the eventual fragmentation of the North and the South in the early 1850s(Mann). Therefore, the Mexican American War separating the country over the issue of slavery is attributed mainly to Polk’s actions and attitudes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Polk’s presidency was most remarkable for the westward expansion of the American land achieved after the Mexican-American war. While resulting in significant territorial gains, the war was criticized as unjust and inconsiderate of the country’s interests. Polk was adamant that it was done for the greater good of the American union. He highlighted the failure to establish diplomatic relations, which was attributed to the Mexican government, which made it impossible to resolve the dispute peacefully. Another goal that Polk has set and accomplished during his term was the adjustment of the tariff on foreign trade by introducing the Walker Tariff Act, which brought down the import prices. One of the brewing consequences of the war was the debate regarding slave labor throughout newly acquired territories. Perhaps due to underestimating the strength of public opinion or in an attempt to conceal his use of slave labor, Polk has not comprehensively addressed the issue. Therefore, the eventual split in opinions between the North and the South parties has led to fragmentation and the Civil War.
Works Cited
Brooks, F. Erik, and Glenn L. Starks. African Americans and the Presidents: Politics and Policies from Washington to Trump. ABC-CLIO, 2019.
Mann, Lina. “The Enslaved Households of President James K. Polk.” White House Historical Association, 2020.
McCormac, Eugene Irving. James K. Polk: A Political Bibliography. University of California Press, 2020. DOI.org (Crossref).
Polk, James K. August 8, 1846: Message Regarding Settlement with Mexico. 1846. Presidential Speeches, Miller Center.
—. March 4, 1845: Inaugural Address. 1845. Presidential Speeches, Miller Center.
—. May 11, 1846: War Message to Congress. 1846. Presidential Speeches, Miller Center.
Price, Glenn W. “Chapter Five: James K. Polk in American History.” Origins of the War with Mexico, University of Texas Press, 2021, pp. 79–104.
Spring, Joel. Deculturalization and the Struggle for Equality: A Brief History of the Education of Dominated Cultures in the United States. Routledge, 2021.
Taylor, Zachary. March 5, 1849: Inaugural Address. 1849. Presidential Speeches, Miller Center.