nov 1, 1844 - Election of Polk in 1844

Description:

The Election of 1844 saw the Whig party candidate, Henry Clay, running against Democratic candidate James K. Polk, with the latter winning in the end. Polk’s platform centered around embracing the idea of Manifest Destiny and wanting to purchase California and to settle boundary dispute along the Texas border; Henry Clay on the other hand, was more reserved in this matter and lost the election due in large part by this factor. After being elected, Polk led the country through the Annexation of Texas, the Mexican-American War, and finally the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo which granted the United States the biggest expansion of its territory to date. He also oversaw the Oregon Territory Conflict with the British, earning the slogan “Fifty-four forty or fight!,” and reduced tariffs in the nation. His administration became tied to the idea of Manifest Destiny, and his presidency was a major turning point in terms of the rapid expansion of the Union, allowing for the later disputes over slavery to form in the new regions.

Added to timeline:

Date: