JAMES K. POLK

When Andrew Jackson was president, one of his most devoted followers in the U. S. House of Representatives was James K. Polk. In fact, Polk was often known as “Young Hickory.” In 1844 Polk was elected president of the United States.
 

When Polk became president, the country of Mexico claimed a lot of what we now know as the state of Texas, while Canada claimed a lot of what is now the state of Washington. Polk went to war with Mexico over Texas and threatened war with Canada over the Pacific Northwest, and was successful on both fronts. So there are large parts of the United States that wouldn’t be part of this country were it not for President Polk.
 

Polk did not run for a second term. He died only months after he left office.