How Did Polk Influence American Imperialism

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Presidential Campaign

Polk had, like his predecessors, a tumultuous rise to presidency. Unlike his predecessors, Polk became the first dark horse candidate. The term coins candidates who become notable throughout an election. President John Tyler of Virginia was the incumbent President following the passing of William Henry Harrison. Leading to the election Tyler’s Party (Whig) had expelled him. Tension between the Democrats and Whigs were heightened, as well as intraparty tensions between the Northern and Southern members. Polk was still reeling from his losses in Tennessee and was hoping to gain only the vice-presidency at the Democratic Convention, which furthered his dark horse image. President Tyler was fiercely in favor of the annexation …show more content…
Polk’s decision to be in favor of the annexing ultimately prevailed by carefully separating it from Tyler’s ardent proslavery views. Other issues included the Oregon Boundary Dispute which was the territorial confusion surrounding the Pacific Northwest of North America. The issue fell in line with Polk’s ideal of manifest destiny (expansionism of the United States). Polk’s preference for state banks over national banks also indulged the voting public. The other contenders for presidency were strong. For the Whig Party, Henry Clay was almost unanimously nominated and opposed many of Polk’s views. Clay, like many of the Whigs, opposed the annexation of Texas. On the Democratic side former President and abolitionist Martin Van Buren was the expected nominee while James Buchanan, Lewis Cass, Cave Johnson and Levi Woodbury also ran. On May 27th 1844, the Democratic Party Convention was held. Early in the proceedings the party decided to resurrect the need for a two-thirds vote nomination. This usurped the Van Buren’s certainty and on the ninth ballot Van Buren changed gears and supported Polk’s nomination, leading to his ultimate victory. At the Convention he stated "It has been well observed that the office of President of the United States should
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