Polk's Legacy

[MasterJedi]

I'm starting this new TL, this is just the bare beginning and I will continue to work on my old TL and this one at the same time.

1844

James K. Polk defeats Henry Clay to become the 11th Presdient of the US.

James Polk/George Dallas: 170
Hentry Clay/Theodore Freilinghuysen 105



The First Term of James Knox Polk


1845-1848

Events occur as they did IRL until February 2, 1848 when the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed where an installed US puppet governemnt agrees to the entire annexation of Mexico by the US. Southernors rejoice at this while Northerner's are horrified.

[War on Want]

lol You are two centuries off.

[MasterJedi]

lol You are two centuries off.

Hehe, oops, that's fixed. I'm too used to my other TL, where it's currently 2081.

[YRABNNRM]

I'm looking forward to this.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I'm looking forward to this.

As am I, although it still says 2048 instead of 1848.

[Хahar 🤔]

I'm horrified myself.

[MasterJedi]

1848

With the introduction of all the new territory many fierce pro-slavery advocates in the South propose flooding the area with white, English speakers and bringing slavery to the region as well as making any Mexicans that aren’t cooperative slaves as well. President Polk, though having mixed views on slavery, condemns this plan and with the help of Whigs and Northern Democrats he gets passed the Mexican Territory-Defense Act. With this the newly acquired territory is organized into Mexico Territory and creates defensive militias, mainly formed out of the old Mexican Army and is tasked with securing the area from forced aggression from incoming Southerners.

 
American Commanders Training the Mexico Territory Militia

During the fallout Wisconsin joins the Union on May 29th. President Polk is in attendance in Madison and meets with state officials.

In the summer President Polk authorizes ambassador Romulus Mitchell Saunders to negotiate for the purchase of Cuba from Spain. In little time he guarantees the purchase for $100 million. Southerners rejoice as their confidence with President Polk is renewed.

At the Whig Party convention General Zachary Taylor of Louisiana is chosen to run for President along with Millard Fillmore as Vice President.

 
Presidential Candidate Zachary Taylor and Vice Presidential Candidate Millard Fillmore


At the Democratic Party convention President Polk is re-nominated unanimously on the first ballot even though he said he’d only serve one term. Polk seems noticeably touched and agrees to run for a second term with George Dallas.

 
President James Polk and Vice President George Dallas

During the election Taylor remained vague on all issues and constantly attacked Polk for his westward expansion. None of these attacks seemed to affect the President’s popularity as Polk attracted voters across the nation. On election night:

James Polk/George Dallas: 262
Zachary Taylor/Millard Fillmore: 28

President Polk wins in a 262-28 rout of Zachary Taylor and wins a second term.

[Matt Damon™]

Given how mexico is a giant slave territoriy with the indios being enslaved and the mestizos being made peons this would outrage new england. The midwest, south and far-south united against New England in an alt-civil war.

[MasterJedi]

The Second Term of James Knox Polk

1849

Cuba applies for statehood and though northerners are completely opposed Polk uses his popularity and a strong hand to force it through, it enters as a slave state. Planters celebrate throughout the new state as it enters the Union with 13 EV’s.

1850

California applies for statehood early in the year as a free state and Polk shocks the nation by not only using his power to jam this through but also getting the slave trade banned in D.C. Speaking out Polk says he’ll be using his power to keep the free-slave balance in the country as best he can and that history will see that his decisions are right.

1851-1852

Polk gets the Transcontinental Railway Act of 1851 passed which started construction on the railway which he, with help from northern politicians, started in Chicago, Illinois and ended in Sacramento, California.

During these years Polk also modernized and upgraded the U.S. army and navy as well as strengthening many forts around the nation. Polk also chooses 1852 to send Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan.

Early in 1852 President Polk announces the country is too divided and that his strong leadership is still needed so he’ll be running for re-election with George Dallas again breaking Washington’s tradition.

Many pounce on Polk for his decision and the Whig Party tries to use it to their advantage as they swiftly nominate General Winfield Scott of New Jersey for President and Secretary of the Navy William Alexander Graham of North Carolina for VP.



On election night:



President Polk is able to destroy Scott in a 291-18 rout. The public, though sometimes split on Polk’s decisions still seems to give their utmost confidence in his Presidency.