Did James K. Polk favor annexation?

James K. Polk was a staunch advocate of annexation, particularly with respect to the expansion of the United States into Texas and the Oregon Country. He believed that the annexation of these territories was essential to the nation's growth and prosperity, and he pursued these goals vigorously during his presidency.

Polk's desire for annexation was motivated by several factors. First, he believed that the expansion of the United States into new territories would increase the nation's economic prosperity by opening up new markets and resources. Second, he believed that annexation was necessary to protect the interests of American settlers who had already moved into these territories. Third, he saw annexation as a way to assert American dominance over the North American continent and to prevent other countries from gaining control of these regions.

Polk's annexation policies were controversial, and they were opposed by many northerners who feared that the expansion of slavery into new territories would upset the balance of power in the United States. However, Polk was determined to pursue his goals, and he succeeded in annexing both Texas and the Oregon Country during his presidency.