USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In 1844, President James K. Polk ran on a Democratic platform that supported manifest destiny, the idea that Americans were predestined to occupy the entire North American continent. The last act of Polk’s predecessor, John Tyler, had been to annex the Republic of Texas in 1845.

Detailed explanation-2: -The convention instead chose James K. Polk, former Governor of Tennessee and Speaker. He was the first successful dark horse for the presidency. Polk ran on a platform embracing popular commitment to expansion, often referred to as Manifest Destiny.

Detailed explanation-3: -James Polk: Later Years He was succeeded by Zachary Taylor (1784-1850), a military leader who earned acclaim during the Mexican-American War and ran for the presidency on the Whig ticket. Polk left the White House in March 1849 and returned to his home, Polk Place, in Nashville.

Detailed explanation-4: -Under Polk, Manifest Destiny was put into action with the annexation of the nominally independent Texas and the ceding from Mexico of parts of nine states.

Detailed explanation-5: -By the end of the war, Mexico would lose almost half its territory to the U.S., including lands from Texas to California. The war was a key event in American History as it fulfilled its ‘manifest destiny’, encompassing land from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific.