The country expanded with the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo when Mexico sold Alta California and New Mexico to the US for $15 million.

The major accomplishments and the famous, main events that occurred during the time that James K Polk was president included the Indian Wars, the Mormon migration to Utah (1846), Bear Flag Revolt (1846), Wilmot Proviso of 1846, the Walker Tariff (1846) and the California gold rush (1848). James Knox Polk died of cholera on June 15, 1849, aged 53. The next president was Zachary Taylor.   

Birthday: November 24, 1784

Place of Birth: Tennessee

Political Party: Democratic 

Nickname: Napoleon of the Stump

Number: 11th President

Vice President: George M. Dallas

Age at Inauguration: 49

Height: 5 feet 8 inches

Weight: 174 pounds

First Lady: Sarah Polk

Religion: Presbyterian

Date of Death: June 15, 1849

Date of James K Polk Presidency: March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849

The Nickname of James K Polk: Napoleon of the Stump
The nickname of President James K Polk provides an insight into how the man was viewed by the American public during his presidency. The meaning of the unsual nickname "Napoleon of the Stump" refers to Polk's eagerness to exercise his considerable speech making skills. He took every opportunity to deliver a speech, and tree stumps were once utilized for this purpose, and his delivery was as fearsome as Napoleon when he spoke..

Character and Personality Type of James K Polk
The character traits of President James K Polk can be described as intelligent, persuasive, determined, forceful and ambitious. It has been speculated that the Myers-Briggs personality type for James K Polk is an would be INTJ (introversion, intuition, thinking, judgment). A reserved, analytical and insightful character with a strong sense of independence. James K Polk Personality type: pragmatic, logical, individualist and creative.

Accomplishments of James K Polk and the Famous Events during his Presidency
The accomplishments of James K Polk and the most famous events during his presidency are provided in an interesting, short summary format detailed below.

Westward Expansion
Summary of the Westward Expansion: The Westward Expansion encompassed the movement of Americans across the North American continent from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific in the west. The movement west and the rapid settlement of territories was enabled by buying land, victories in wars, treaties and the displacement of Native American Indians. The process of Westward Expansion was made possible by progressive transportation systems such as roads, canals and the railroads and the belief in the Manifest Destiny of the United States of America.

Manifest Destiny
Summary of Manifest Destiny: The Manifest Destiny was the firm belief that occupation of North America  was a divine right of the American people.

The Mexican-American War
Summary of the Mexican-American War: The Mexican-American War lasted just under 2 years from and was fought between April 25, 1846 – February 2, 1848 in  Texas, New Mexico and California.

California Republic and the Bear Flag Revolt
Summary of the California Republic and the Bear Flag Revolt: The California Republic and the Bear Flag Revolt involved conflicts between American settlers against Mexico in Alta California.

Wilmot Proviso of 1846
Summary of the Wilmot Proviso of 1846: The Wilmot Proviso of 1846 was an amendment to an appropriations bill to gain funding for the settlement of the Mexican-American War. The Wilmot Proviso stated that slavery should be banned in the territories acquired from Mexico, including California.

1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Summary of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: The 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed during the presidency of James K Polk when Mexico was forced to sell Alta California and New Mexico to the US for $15 million.

California Gold Rush
Summary of the California Gold Rush: The California Gold Rush (1848–1855) started started on January 24, 1848 at Sutter's Lumber Mill in Coloma, California during the presidency of James K Polk. The gold seekers,  numbering over 90,000, were called the "49ers" as the majority of them reached the goldfields in 1849.

Oregon Treaty 1846
Summary of the 1846 Oregon Treaty: The Oregon Treaty 1846 settled the land disputes between the US and Great Britain and ended the twenty-eight years of joint occupancy of the Pacific Northwest.

The Elias Howe Sewing Machine
Summary of the Elias Howe Sewing Machine: The invention of the Elias Howe Sewing Machine revolutionized the shoe and clothing industry providing the means for Americans to buy cheap, fashionable clothes.