Democratic Party could not agree on a candidate at the last minute.

Party leaders proposed James K.

Polk.

He was the country's first dark horse candidate.

No one expected him to win, but he did.

As president, Polk added all or part of 11 current US states to the country.

Although he went to war with Mexico to do it.

Poke is remembered for advancing Manifest Destiny, the idea that the US could and should expand all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

After four years in office, Pope kept his promises to serve only one term and retired.