Derek Thompson

In fact, if you really wanted to press the case, Polk's term was even more successful than his objectives. By winning the Mexican-American War of 1846 to 1848, he didn't just acquire what we now think of as California. He acquired what is now West Texas, most of Arizona and New Mexico, half of Colorado, and all of modern Utah and Nevada.

In fact, if you really wanted to press the case, Polk's term was even more successful than his objectives. By winning the Mexican-American War of 1846 to 1848, he didn't just acquire what we now think of as California. He acquired what is now West Texas, most of Arizona and New Mexico, half of Colorado, and all of modern Utah and Nevada.

The original 13 colonies made up about 400,000 square miles. James Polk expanded the U.S. by roughly 1 million square miles. And he did it in one term. And that's why Polk is the subject of today's show.

The original 13 colonies made up about 400,000 square miles. James Polk expanded the U.S. by roughly 1 million square miles. And he did it in one term. And that's why Polk is the subject of today's show.

The original 13 colonies made up about 400,000 square miles. James Polk expanded the U.S. by roughly 1 million square miles. And he did it in one term. And that's why Polk is the subject of today's show.

Because I don't think another president in American history has so large a gap between his modern reputation and his actual achievement. Now, here's where it gets interesting, because the nature of Polk's achievements are not what we associate with presidential greatness. Unlike Washington, he didn't wage war for independence, but rather for conquest.

Because I don't think another president in American history has so large a gap between his modern reputation and his actual achievement. Now, here's where it gets interesting, because the nature of Polk's achievements are not what we associate with presidential greatness. Unlike Washington, he didn't wage war for independence, but rather for conquest.

Because I don't think another president in American history has so large a gap between his modern reputation and his actual achievement. Now, here's where it gets interesting, because the nature of Polk's achievements are not what we associate with presidential greatness. Unlike Washington, he didn't wage war for independence, but rather for conquest.

Unlike Lincoln's war and emancipation, which ended slavery, Polk's embrace of westward expansion and manifest destiny extended the territory for and the market for slavery. And unlike FDR, Polk did not go to war for liberal humanitarian interests. He went to war for old-fashioned national interest.

Unlike Lincoln's war and emancipation, which ended slavery, Polk's embrace of westward expansion and manifest destiny extended the territory for and the market for slavery. And unlike FDR, Polk did not go to war for liberal humanitarian interests. He went to war for old-fashioned national interest.

Unlike Lincoln's war and emancipation, which ended slavery, Polk's embrace of westward expansion and manifest destiny extended the territory for and the market for slavery. And unlike FDR, Polk did not go to war for liberal humanitarian interests. He went to war for old-fashioned national interest.

Now, I don't think it's useful for people in the 2020s to exclusively insist on judging history by 21st century values. But what makes Polk's presidency so rich is that even his contemporaries considered him to be a manipulator.

Now, I don't think it's useful for people in the 2020s to exclusively insist on judging history by 21st century values. But what makes Polk's presidency so rich is that even his contemporaries considered him to be a manipulator.

Now, I don't think it's useful for people in the 2020s to exclusively insist on judging history by 21st century values. But what makes Polk's presidency so rich is that even his contemporaries considered him to be a manipulator.

Ulysses S. Grant, who fought in the Mexican-American War, called it, quote, the most unjust war ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation.

Ulysses S. Grant, who fought in the Mexican-American War, called it, quote, the most unjust war ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation.

Ulysses S. Grant, who fought in the Mexican-American War, called it, quote, the most unjust war ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation.

There are two great books about James Polk that I've read, which have been published in the last 20 years. And I'm very pleased that today we have both authors on the show. Walt Bornemann is the author of Polk, The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America. And Bob Mary, who is the author of A Country of Vast Designs, James K. Polk, The Mexican War, and The Conquest of the American Continent.

There are two great books about James Polk that I've read, which have been published in the last 20 years. And I'm very pleased that today we have both authors on the show. Walt Bornemann is the author of Polk, The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America. And Bob Mary, who is the author of A Country of Vast Designs, James K. Polk, The Mexican War, and The Conquest of the American Continent.

There are two great books about James Polk that I've read, which have been published in the last 20 years. And I'm very pleased that today we have both authors on the show. Walt Bornemann is the author of Polk, The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America. And Bob Mary, who is the author of A Country of Vast Designs, James K. Polk, The Mexican War, and The Conquest of the American Continent.