James Knox Polk became the eleventh President of the United States on March 4, 1845.
Mexican War
Texas had been annexed to the United States three days before President Polk's inauguration, but the southern border of Texas was still in question. President Polk sent General Zachary Taylor and the southern division of the western army into Texas to defend it against a possible Mexican attack. When no such attack occurred, President Polk ordered General Taylor and his troops to enter the territory between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande. This territory was claimed by both the United States and Mexico, but it was occupied by Mexicans. When Mexico troops attempted to repel what they considered an invasion President Polk, citing Mexico as the aggressor, asked Congress to acknowledge that a state of war already existed between the United States and Mexico.
Sante Fe
On August 18, 1846, 1700 American troops under the leadership of Colonel Stephen Kearny captured the Mexican city of Sante Fe.
Bear Flag Rebellion
On June 10, 1846, Ezekel Merritt led a small group of American frontiersmen into Spanish the settlement of Sonoma, in California. Capturing the settlement, the frontiersmen raised a flag depicting a grizzly bear facing a red star, and declared California an independent republic. The settlement officially became a part of the United States the following month.
Monterey
On July 7, 1846 American naval forces under the command of Commodore John D. Sloat captured the settlement of Monterey and claimed it for the United States.
Battle of Buena Vista
On February 22 and 23 of 1847, 6000 American troops under the leadership of Zachary Taylor defeated 1,500 Mexican troops at the Battle of Buena Vista.
Mexico City
On September 14, 1847 American troops under the command of General Winfield Scott captured the Mexican capital of Mexico City.
Gold Rush
On January 10, 1848 a carpenter named John W. Marshall was at work building a sawmill in the Sacramento Valley when he discovered bit of gold. The ensuing hysteria to mine gold brought over 80,000 people to California.
Legislation
Oregon Territory Compromise
Since 1818 the United States and Britain had held joint ownership of the Oregon Territory. President Polk now asked Britain to cede the territory from California to the 49th parallel to the United States. When Britain refused, President Polk asked Congress to draw up a declaration ending joint ownership of the Oregon Territory. The declaration was issued on April 23, 1846. Fearing the possibility of war, Britain accepted President Polk's original offer, and the territory of the United States was extended to the 49th parallel.
Walker Tariff Act
The Walker Tariff Act, for which Polk had been fighting since becoming President in 1844, finally became law in 1846. The Tariff Act tremendously reduced the stipulations on the Northern-sponsored protective tariffs. President Polk held that southern farmers had as much right to protection from the government as northern manufacturers did. Despite the vehement opposition of the Northern states, the tariff reduction proved beneficial to the economy. Its installation stimulated foreign trade of all American goods.
Independent Treasury Bill
In 1846 President Polk saw through the passage of an independent treasury bill. The bill established sub-treasuries in major cities where federal funds could be deposited. The bill was based on the Independent Treasury Act of the Van Buren Administration.
Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo was signed early in 1848. The treaty set the Rio Grande as the southern boundary of Texas. The treaty also forced Mexico to sell the territories of California and New Mexico to the United States for $15 million.
