There are many of us who find the presidency of James K. Polk to be interesting. After all, he did accomplish a lot in his one and only term. He also adds to the allure of his legacy by opting not to run for a second term.
Most notably famous for his successful foreign policy. First he acquired lots of land in the Pacific Northwest by threatening to go to war with Britain, essentially taking what we know of as the Oregon Territory. Next, he was president during the
Mexican–American War which resulted in the
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, where the United States took land from Mexico. James K. Polk is manifest destiny at it's finest, in all Polk was able to secure over 900,000 square miles for the expansion of the United States.
For a history teacher, this is pretty cool stuff. But for a student....? Aahh, maybe not so interesting. So how about teaching about James K. Polk through song. The band They Might be Giants (TMBG) makes it easy for you.
Click the play button below, and read the lyric and I'm sure you'll agree that they've got the facts straight. Then go to TMBG's page below for an annotated version of their lyrics.
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1 comment:
You gotta love They Might Be Giants.
How dark a horse was Polk? A story, almost certainly apocryphal, appeared in The Clarksburg (W. Va.) Telegram, Feb 12, 1876, as part of an article giving the history of the town. Supposedly, when word had reached Clarksburg's Democrats in 1844 that Polk was their party's nominee, one old fellow responded, "The very man we need!" and waving his hat shouted, "Hurrah for - what did you say his name was?"
Thanks for runing TMBG's lyrics.
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