11th President · 1845–1849 · Democratic
James K. Polk
Named four goals and met them all, adding Oregon, California and the Southwest. The Mexican War was a war of choice, and his Walker Tariff gutted protection.
In the Society’s PantheonOverallB+GPA 3.30
The grades
- SovereigntyDid they put American interests first and keep decisions in American hands?A
- HemisphereDid they guard the Americas against rival powers and threats?A
- RestraintDid they keep the country out of wars of choice that weakened it?B-
- StatecraftDid they use diplomacy, force and alliances skillfully, on American terms?A
- Industry and tradeDid they protect and build American industry?D+
- Working AmericansDid ordinary working families do better because of them?C+
- BuildingDid they build things that lasted and push the frontier forward?A
- NationDid they strengthen a shared American identity and the Union?A-
- CompetenceWere they capable, honest and effective in office?A-
On the axes
MarketEconomyPopulist
Free tradeTradeProtectionist
RestraintForeign policyInterventionist
CosmopolitanNationNational
Dark dot: James K. Polk. Red mark: the Monroe Society. Ideological closeness to the Society: 54%.