James Polk was President of the United States from 1845 to 1849, a time when slavery began to dominate American politics. Polk's presidency coincided with the eruption of the territorial slavery issue, which within a few years would lead to the catastrophe of the Civil War. Polk himself owned substantial cotton plantations-- in Tennessee and later in Mississippi-- and some 50 slaves. Unlike many antebellum planters who portrayed their involvement...
Related Subjects
19th Century Abolition African-American & Black African-American Studies Biographical Biographies Biographies & History Biography & History Civil War Discrimination & Racism Ethnic & National Leaders & Notable People Military Modern (16th-21st Centuries) Politics & Social Sciences Presidents & Heads of State Race Relations Social Science Social Sciences Specific Demographics State & Local U.S. Presidents United States Civil War