James K. Polk: The Greatest American President You've Never Heard Of

[@Biographics]

Check out Squarespace: squarespace.com/BIOGRAPHICS for 10% off on your first purchase.

[@nothing2seehere34]

Chil as in cold dress. Childress

[@HeyMJ.]

🔥@Biographics 🔥Thank you for an excellent episode! 🔥My little-big-brain is exploding..! 🤯

[@spaceman081447]

@Biographics Polk wasn't the only "unknown" president. The title of "most unknown president" would probably be claimed by Millard Fillmore. How about doing a video on him?

[@prasikwhatever2309]

I’m not sure where to post suggestions- but I’d love to see you guys do a video on Clemens August Graf von Galen- the German Bishop who stood up to Nazism.

[@halburd1]

WRONG Al bundy knew Polk and he scored 4 touch downs in one game!

[@stevenbergom3415]

Also interesting: James Polk was so unassuming that he could enter and leave a room without anyone noticing. His wife, conscious of this fact and feeling that everyone should be immediately aware of the President's presence instructed the band to start playing "Hail to the Chief" whenever he came in. And so a tradition was born.

[@connormccarthy8442]

@@codyfrazier1205 wow I am jealous of your job. That sounds awesome.

[@sartainja]

I think you are talking about James Madison.

[@rongold7719]

Google says polk

[@mikecarrico1859]

Back2Basic see today's President has to be above the politics even though Left side of the spectrum demand stripping constitutional protections away from SOME and the EXCEPT ME PRIVILEGE is Born!!😊

[@Janzer_]

man really do be fuckin things up. sometimes you need to stealth be around to see what your minions are doing. leave it to women to be egocentric

[@ethanramos4441]

“No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure” James K. Polk

[@PhoenixAscending]

Well, by that pov, Trump would be the worst ever. Man played more golf than any other pres in history

[@fearlessfosdick160]

@@PhoenixAscending And yet, managed to accomplish more in the first six months of his administration than his predecessor did in eight years.🤣

[@jhgust]

@@fearlessfosdick160 Are you drunk or just ignorant!!! 🤪🤪🤪

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

You sure are

[@fearlessfosdick160]

@@jhgust See, that's the thing. You guys can be so stupid. Me, I just paid attention. I doubt you can even name an accomplishment of Obama during the first six months of his administration without googling it.

[@williamstocker584]

His last words were “I love you Sarah, for all eternity I love you.” He said to his wife. Very sad

[@NYCBG]

Why "sad"? It's a beautiful finale to a life well lived.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Indeed.

[@markberryhill2715]

@@NYCBG that's what I was thinking, what a way to go out if you love your wife.

[@SmilesNFun]

southern gentleman

[@yuukikisaragi1089]

Actually, as someone who works at his presidential site, those weren’t his last words. Polk doesn’t have any last words. Those are from a book called “88 Years With Sarah Polk” which is historic fiction and the author admitted to making them up. Polk had cholera, had gone without water for about a week, and they had intentionally given him mercury poisoning in an attempt to get rid of the cholera.

[@SiVlog1989]

"Nobody keeps their promises," James Knox Polk: "hold my kidney stones"

[@Vinn_Tree]

Hold my polio

[@sibire8284]

Hey, there's always "nothing would fundamentally change"

[@dianapennepacker6854]

Ugh I have seen one from a male. I was like WTF, and terrified. (I can't remember my password and a male. That thing was massive. Ugh. I hear it is top 5 for worse pains.)

[@PhoenixAscending]

@@dianapennepacker6854 the worst...period. By far the worst pain I have experienced. Which mine was pretty big

[@SW-mv6fw]

@@dianapennepacker6854 what are the top 5 most painful things?

[@villain1813]

I’ve heard of some guy scoring 4 touchdowns in a single game in Polk High.

[@TJDious]

Never forget.

[@kevmoful]

That guy practically raised me

[@jahjohnson31]

Bundy bundy he’s our man if he can’t don’t it nobody can

[@ericestrada2634]

#33 best Polk High Panther ever

[@lavarivy2259]

Al Bundy is an American hero 😂

[@HALEIWA7]

No matter how you want to slice it James K. Polk has to be considered one of the most impactful Presidents of US history. Regardless of if you love him, hate him, or are ambivalent to him his impact is indisputable.

[@RANDALLBRIGGS]

Why would anyone "love him"? He put us a giant step forward to secession and civil war.

[@marthagomez7335]

I hate him

[@chrishorner7679]

Picking wars to grab territory? Slaving? Killing native Americans? What's to love?

[@zadoc2339]

@@RANDALLBRIGGS like that wouldn’t have happened anyway it was probably for the better considering it helped end slavery faster and if the civil war happened maybe 20 years later who knows what the affects it could have had

[@jeffrutledge1789]

@@RANDALLBRIGGS that only happened because there was a tyrant dictator in the White House called Lincoln. Completely responsible for over 600,000 American dead. The British Empire was our largest Cotton buyer and they were already threatening to quit buying cotton over slavery. It would’ve died out by natural causes. There’s no need for a war. Most of it was over taxes and control of the country.

[@michaelsinger4638]

Tremendously underrated. He set out a series of goals to accomplish. He accomplished them all. He promised to only serve one term, and he kept that promise in the end.

[@yesic7196]

He created a lie outside of his state and instigated a fight between Californians (mex/amer/euro).

[@JB-uv4hm]

‘Great’ because he kept a promise? You Polk lovers are weak as historians.

[@americanuscaesar]

I’d love Warographics. War history got me interested in history in the first place.

[@P-C-Principle]

He does historical figures during war time. But I agree, something more all encompassing about specific battles would be awesome

[@AlliyahPerry]

You guys are just feeding his channel addiction......

[@behunter215]

Battlegraphics

[@devbalakameshwar]

Thats the reason I got interested in history as well

[@BroadwayBen]

Check out Kings and Generals, The Cold War, and World War 2.

[@TrevorJust]

Quote of the Video: "Why are we sharing this prime piece of real estate with a bunch of Limey Douchebags, when we could just take it for ourselves?"

[@IrishMike22]

Dammit I just wrote that 👍

[@archivesoffantasy5560]

Human history summarised

[@mbgal7758]

Hearing Simon say that just made my heart smile

[@IrishMike22]

@@mbgal7758 (sniff) Just like gramps. (sniff) 🤣👍

[@andyreznick]

"Limey Douchebags" - that's British and French at the same time, right?

[@CarolineFarrow]

I can honestly say I have learned more US History from Simon than I ever did in school!

[@noahlogue3807]

Amen. The only reason I learned anything from school was because I read my books cover to cover in my spare time.

[@GrinderCB]

In school my history teachers pretty much just glossed over that period, focusing on slavery and less on American territorial expansion. Little if anything was said about Polk's presidency. I never knew that he was Andrew Jackson's protégé.

[@Maderyne]

I find it to be true as well. The fact that a British fellow is imparting American history that is both informative, and interesting, with the help of an involved research team who is very thorough in their sifting through the sands of information, can engage me to want to watch each video is quite remarkable. Well done Simon!

[@adamcadovius4566]

If that's not the worst conviction of the current state of eduction in the U.S. public education system, I don't know what is. Gotta feel pretty good knowing how much of our taxes are dumped into the system...right....right?

[@CarolineFarrow]

@@adamcadovius4566 Well tbf a bit of it is my fault as well, school was boring and I didn't like it. But I'd read the encyclopedia for fun.

[@oldstrawhat4193]

You neglected to note for your viewers that the reason Polk, as a member of the Tennessee state legislature, voted in A. Jackson as their new senator was that originally in the US there was no popular voting for US senators. Voters voted for state legislators who, in turn, selected the state's US senators. In 1913, the 17th amendment to the US Constitution was ratified. It changed the system so that voters directly select their state's senator, which has been the method since 1913.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

And that was a horrible decision. The 17th Amendment needs to be scrapped.

[@jbuck4751]

@@robertortiz-wilson1588 I'm genuinely curious as to why you believe that? Care to expand?

[@theskeptic2010]

@@jbuck4751 The Senate was originally meant to be more removed from direct election so not to be unduly influenced by public passions and demogogery. It was supposed to be a sort of counterbalance to the House. That balance was upset in 1913.

[@michaelswami]

@@theskeptic2010 the Senate was originally intended to be analogous to England’s House of Lords.

[@faekz]

@@robertortiz-wilson1588 correct it keeps the states in power 👍

[@bowlnow824]

I worked with one of his great great great grandchildren Tony Polk. I actually asked him you related to the 11th president. He was kind of impressed I knew he was the 11th president. Pretty cool guy. Knows pretty much his whole family history going back 300 years

[@richardcasriel6232]

Polk was childless.

[@stacyljonas]

I read that he may have had some children with some black women. He owned some slaves back then; don't know, though, if that is whom the source was referring to .

[@nobodyimportant4835]

He was also a Hardeman and related to founder of Texas Bailey Hardeman, whom I’m related too as well making Polk a distant cousin too. Hardeman county in Tennessee is where they all come from. They moved to Texas to fight and establish Texas independence from Mexico. Polk is also related to Mary Queen of Scots and King James. The bloodline is thick and goes way back. Presidents must have an established bloodline. They all go back to one king of England via bloodlines. So, are US elections really democratically selected? Mmmmm…

[@elrich500]

@@nobodyimportant4835yea it is democratic cause people can vote If they chose to vote aristocratic families it’s on them 😂

[@elrich500]

Was he loaded?

[@jt7638]

Add this golden piece onto the great man's legacy - he founded the Smithsonian Institution.

[@amandadonegan2137]

Oh dear. They hide History...

[@jt7638]

@@amandadonegan2137 another nut on youtube.

[@Ntwolf1220]

@@jt7638 BUT JT I SAW ON KZbin THAT THE SMITHSONIAN HAS ALIEN SHIPS IN THE BASEMENT 🤣

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:35 - Chapter 1 - The boy from tennessee 5:10 - Chapter 2 - Young hickory 9:15 - Mid roll ads 10:55 - Chapter 3 - The dark horse 14:45 - Chapter 4 - "Or fight" 17:45 - Chapter 5 - Destiny manifested 21:55 - Chapter 6 - Final acts

[@TheEmeraldSwordMusic]

You legend

[@johndavis6119]

I’ve never been disappointed by one of your videos. Your wit and sense of humor shines through no matter how tedious or gruesome the topic. This was one of your best.

[@liamrobert2460]

This channel demonstrates the full potential of a KZbin channel to be a wellspring of learning and entertainment on par and above its predecessors in television. Great video! Here’s hoping war-o-graphics comes soon

[@abehdts5170]

James K Polk bought child slaves and the host ignored it. Keep learning from fools you pseudo intellectual.

[@liamrobert2460]

@@abehdts5170 tell us how you really feel buddy

[@kcbh24]

@@abehdts5170 The video was about Polk's road to the White House. He covered that. He also covered that Polk's wife was the daughter of slave owners and discussed his time on their plantation. Obliviously, he supported slavery. Those paying attention got it.

[@williamstocker584]

Blah blah blah quit being a crybaby

[@johnnypunish]

WOW! The greatest most concise presentation on Polk, Mexico and the West ever! Congrats! Superb Work!

[@chriskuzianik9507]

I recently moved to Tennessee, not far from his old home. I didn't really know much about him. Now I do. He did a lot more than I had realized. Thanks for the knowledge!

[@jacquesmesrine4930]

Now i’ll be checking youtube even more than I already do daily like a junkie scrounging for dopamine from Simon and his smooth voice. But brain blaze it my favorite, i suffer from deep depression and brain blaze helps me feel not quite so alone along with some laughs. Thank you Simon.. idk if I could’ve done it without you!

[@markuhler2664]

I'm (surprisingly) impressed with this. You were able to judge him by both his era's standards & ours, and report fairly & objectively on him.

[@chrishorner7679]

Plenty back then knew he was doing evil, and opposed him - eg Thoreau, Lincoln .

[@scottdodge6979]

​@@chrishorner7679 lmao Lincoln was America's first tyrant.

[@hydrogendiamond5830]

​@@scottdodge6979 Said the Southern hick.

[@rtlstien]

"John Tyler, he liked country folk, and after him came President Polk"

[@archivesoffantasy5560]

Zachary Taylor liked to smoke…

[@sazger]

If you want to know more about James K Polk and the general history of the west during that time I highly highly recommend the book blood and thunder. You will not be disappointed. The audiobook narration is amazing

[@eggsngritstn]

They Might Be Giants declared James K. Polk "Napolean of the Stump."

[@nosuchthing8]

Huh.

[@daniellogan-scott5968]

I read through the comments looking for a reference to this song. I think I will go listen to it now.

[@ronque23]

In some circles he’s perhaps best known for being the namesake of the high school for whom one Albert Bundy triumphantly scored 4 touchdowns in a single game.

[@v.emiltheii-nd.8094]

"If it's possible, I can do it." - James Polk (probably)

[@dolantrimp1691]

Al Bundy once scored 4 touchdowns when he played for Polk High.

[@deanmason5900]

Terry Bradshaw watch Al play that game ,and made the decision that he was going to play pro-ball.Terry went on to glory ,all because of Al Bundy.

[@Titus4554]

And he scored them against Spare Tire Dixon

[@williamberry4615]

Darn it you beat me to it.

[@juanlopez4353]

@@deanmason5900 oh you meet Ted Bundy the crazy Republican..

[@deanmason5900]

@@juanlopez4353 What does that have to do with a TV comedy staring Ed O'Neal?

[@Foul_Ghoul]

“The greatest President you never heard of” Sometimes I forget the rest of the world didn’t go on almost yearly field trip to his home during grade school

[@eggsngritstn]

Yep.

[@JonathanWash]

Or listen to They Might Be Giants...

[@eggsngritstn]

@@JonathanWash Ha! I commented the same elsewhere. The Napolean of the Stump.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

That's awesome!

[@markberryhill2715]

I live close to Polk Co.,N.C., so I get to think about him all the time, if you know history.

[@MatArmstrong330]

Best documentary channel on KZbin. Never get bored of your videos!

[@brianfarkas8172]

I have to say, I really enjoy your videos sir. Absolutely impeccable presentation, research and non biased approach.

[@drhirise1]

Ever since learning about Polk when studying American history I've considered him to be one of the better presidents. Polk was very efficient, and he added more territory to the United States than any other president. He didn't have a lot of personality, and hated delegating authority, but he sure got spectacular results. He was honest, so he didn't fit in that well with most other politicians.

[@iolfido2975]

So killing locals and owning people are cool aa long as you work hard at it and be honest about the total disregard for women, blacks, an natives. Got it

[@PanzerDave]

@@iolfido2975 At first glance and without a lot of thought, that seems a reasonable statement. Unfortunately it completely ignores an awful lot, including and especially historical context. First, a well educated person cannot judge people using only the standards in place today. They must understand the times or else their conclusions have little value. While it is true that slavery was a terrible institution, it is equally true that slavery has been going on since the beginning of time. Another inconvenient truth is that blacks and American Indians were also slave owners. In fact, Anthony Johnson, was the first person in the Colonies to be allowed to own slaves for life. He was born circa 1600 AD in Africa, captured by a rival tribe, sold to Arab slave traders, and eventually became free. He owned at least five slaves, four of whom were white. Many historians think that roughly 1/3 of slave owners were black. This is not to say slavery is good. Rather this is to point out that slavery was a product of the times. Even more important, FOR HIS TIME, Polk and others were quite progressive in freeing their slaves regardless of when in their lives they did it.

[@iolfido2975]

@@PanzerDave I appreciate the perspective with regard to slavery and its history however my oversimplified comment was given in the context of whether James k Polk should be regarded as a "good" president. If the criteria for being a good president is limited to expanding borders by seizing land then that is the only way Polk could be seen as "good".

[@PanzerDave]

@@iolfido2975 I agree with you and I apologize for misunderstanding your comment. It was a bit of an oversimplification to be sure, although it was not a bad video. There were a number of items that were not discussed that should have been discussed more. In particular, he adhered to the Constitution quite a bit and sadly, that has been lost over the past 140 or so years. He was in favor of an independent treasury where the government held its own funds and didn't keep them in commercial banks, a lesson we need to relearn. The mention of the lowered tariffs and the Panama isthmus were important too. Still, given the time limits it was oversimplified but couldn't be helped. Unfortunately today we like simplified terms such as good or bad President when in reality the truth is somewhere in the middle.

[@Ntwolf1220]

@@PanzerDave i don't like this point you're making about black and native Americans owning slaves - by the end of the 17th century slavery in America was almost exclusively racial chattel slavery aimed at American blacks. I have never heard that 1/3rd of slave owners were black from any source on the subject and without reading said sourcd it seems like erasure and propaganda. Not to say I disagree with your point overall about taking people like Polk as a citizen of their time, but it is very much a slippery slope into racist propaganda from the era as well as from our own when you say stuff like this. It's like holocaust deniers who say stuff like "Oh sure the Nazis killed people but it wasn't 6 million plus." Obviously coming from a much more honest place than those crazies tho :P

[@ghost_of_nyc6497]

General Sherman’s March to the Sea better be the first video of Warographics and also Battle of Buldge

[@hydrolito]

Battle of Bulge not Buldge.

[@ericdavid7389]

As a Tennesseean, I’ve always wondered why this man isn’t ranked higher on presidential lists. He did all he said he would do, wasn’t really power hungry, and didn’t have his administration tainted by any real scandal. If I remember correctly he also got the US out of debt for the last time, but I may be wrong. But still, great man.

[@oliverdennis3115]

He owned slaves. He believed some humans were worth less then others due to their skin colour. Terrible man.

[@texanman7191]

He expanded the west just to get them as slave states. Furthermore, majority of the generals, like Robert E Lee, and soldiers that worked under Polk that were in the Mexican American war ended up backstabbing the United States. Polk made the situation a lot worse, which caused the American Civil War.

[@joshdavis6556]

I love how people keep judging people in the past with modern sensibility...yes, slavery and racial supremacy are abhorrent institutions and ideas, but can we please at least be humble enough to realize that people in the future are probably going to think some of our institutions and attitudes are abhorrent as well? "Backstabbing," sheesh.

[@oliverdennis3115]

@@joshdavis6556 Yes, but it’s not as if slavery didn’t have its critics at the time, plenty of people didn’t own other people and abuse them for personal wealth, slavery was never moral, or of the time. James K Polk owned slaves, in order to expand his personal wealth, other people didn’t.

[@joshdavis6556]

@@oliverdennis3115 yes, you are 100% correct. My comment was mainly about the statement from the other comment saying Robert Lee and other soldiers "back-stabbed" the US. I'm not saying that the war was a good thing, or that slavery wasn't terrible, but to claim that the confederates backstabbed the US or were traitors when their idea of what the US was was vastly different. To them at the time, that would be like saying the UK has stabbed the EU in the back. Each state was viewed as almost being separate sovereign states in a collective

[@crimsonghost7500]

I'm from NC and on a field trip from school they took us to the place where James K Polk was born in Pineville along the outskirts of Charlotte. I actually got to go into his childhood home you have pictured in this video, there was also an old barn on the site a short walk away which also contained old farming tools they used back then. It was pretty interesting to see how they lived during that time period. It was a rather small home so with just that said, I can't imagine how rough it was for folks.

[@alanlight7740]

Yes, I went there too - though it is mostly a reconstruction. And of course Andrew Jackson's birthplace about twenty miles away, too. Nothing there but an archaeological dig at the time.

[@meachster4316]

I went there as well in the 1970s when I was a child. There’s a really good German restaurant next door now. I just ate the last weekend!

[@eddiehancockii]

I'd like to suggest a bio on Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick. Nicknamed Kingmaker. He and his paternal grandfather really screwed up what could have potentially led to an exceedingly powerful Neville family in Great Britain. But for a handful of stupid decisions, the crown today might be on the head of someone from House Neville.

[@eddiehancockii]

@Jacob Klein the whole Neville family is pretty interesting if you're a history nerd like me. But the 2 mentioned above are really interesting.

[@russellfitzpatrick503]

Not Phil or Gary ... surely (football joke)

[@eddiehancockii]

@@russellfitzpatrick503 LOL! Well i Don't know MUCH about them but I'd love to trace his ancestors

[@JonManProductions]

Look up "Britain's Bloody Crown", second episode.

[@eddiehancockii]

@@JonManProductions i love that series. I dunno how many times I've watched it. Shoot i may watch it tonight. There's nothing on tv really.

[@benjaminsagan5861]

"Generally beloved by those who know of him..." - I feel seen.

[@rallywagon261]

If you've not heard of Polk, you need to listen to more TMBG.

[@RoryGlynn]

I was surprised neither TMBG nor "Napoleon Of The Stump" got mentioned

[@drewping2002]

🎶 He was James K. Polk the 11th President. Young Hickory, the Napoleon of the Stump!

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Austere, severe, he held few people dear.

[@josh_ari]

His oratory filled his foes with fear

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

I immigrated to the US from Scotland and I live very near Polk's home. Lovely freedom loving people here, it's an amazing place.

[@shiner2505]

Absolutely agree! I grew up and live in Columbia myself. It’s changing tremendously fast but it’s still a quaint little town.

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

@@shiner2505 love Columbia

[@msgreen512]

This was an amazing, AMAZING, video. You filled many gaps l wondered about. I'm your newest subscriber!!!! You're an awesome narrator as well.🇨🇱🇺🇲

[@jacobjones5269]

Nicely done, Simon.. And the writers as well..

[@christopherengel7436]

Almost taught nothing about Polk in school. Awesome learning about him from an Englishman. Thanks Simon.

[@edsova5089]

My favorite president! He had 4 goals and said it would take 8 years to do them. He got all 4 of his goals completed in 4 years and chose not to run for a 2nd term. This goals were 1. Lower tarifs 2. Create an independent treasury 3. Annex Texas 4. Annex Oregon Terr.

[@archivesoffantasy5560]

The Napoleon of the Stump

[@Mrboomer135]

We watched the video too

[@stevencooke6451]

It is a bit hard to argue with a four peat.

[@rossjohnstone4689]

I would LOVE a waragraphics channal! That sounds so cool :3

[@barblane4020]

My friends when I was growing up in Upper Arlington Ohio were direct descendants of President Polk….. Jim and Steve Polk. They had his sword among other treasures.

[@dylanyeley4346]

Ned's declassified is the reason I clicked on this because I already knew of this guy just not his history

[@crazyman8472]

“Who the hell is Polk?” That’s not just almost every average American’s response to the question “What do you think of Polk?” It was also the campaign slogan of the Whig Party, Polk’s opponents when he ran for president as a Democrat back in 1844. 😎 -from “How To Fight Presidents”, by Daniel O’Brien

[@wesleybrown9018]

Well I've heard of him. He's an ancestor of mine on my mom's side.

[@EricDKaufman]

On my Mom's Dad's side, by marriage... supposedly

[@__prometheus__]

Wouldn’t by this point a lot of people be related to him

[@stevelowe2647]

@@EricDKaufmanon mom's dad's uncles grandmother's friends roommates cat side

[@UnityComplexx]

he never had children so i dont know how this would be possible....

[@Louis_Davout]

@@UnityComplexx my sister's brother's cousin by marriage...

[@divinebitter1638]

Grew up in Polk County, Oregon. County seat was Dallas, after his vp. Learned about him in school, but learned a lot of new stuff from this video.

[@jamesmartin6050]

Here are some suggestions for another video - all interesting people April Ellison/William Ellison Jr. (1790-1861) - a freed slave from South Carolina who became a successful slaveowner and planter himself before the civil war. Anthony Johnson (1600-1670) - a former indentured servant who became one of the first African American property owners in America and a successful tobacco farmer. Lord Mountbatten (1900-1979) - Prince Philip’s uncle and Queen Elizabeth’s second cousin once removed who was assassinated by the IRA Yukio Mishima (1925-1970) - Japanese poet, author, playwright, actor and nationalist who committed seppuku after a failed attempt to overthrow Japan’s 1947 constitution. Robert Walpole (1676-1745) - British politician who was the first prime minister of Great Britain from 1721 until 1742 under King George I and King George II. Eamon DeValera (1882-1975) - prominent political leader in 20th century Ireland who, after the Irish war of independence from 1919 to 1921, was in the public eye for over forty years from 1922 until his death were he served as head of government (Taoiseach/prime minister) and head of state (president). He was nearly executed in the Easter Rising in 1916 and was key in putting into place the new constitution on 1937. A very prominent Irish figure and one of the most important in Irish history. George Eastman (1854-1932) - American entrepreneur who founded the Eastman Kodak company. He was a pioneer of photography and a major philanthropist. He commit suicide at the age of 77 because of chronic pain from health problems. Emile Zola (1840-1902) - French novelist and journalist who is an early practitioner in the literary genre, naturalism. He was involved in the Dreyfus affair, a political scandal in France. He died in 1902 at the age of 62 from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. ryoichi sasakawa (1899-1995) - Japanese businessman, politician, sports administrator, philanthropist and was criminal who helped Norman Borlaug with his Green Revolution. Seamus Heaney (1939-2013) - Irish poet, playwright and translator who won the 1995 Nobel prize for literature and wrote a poem about The Tollund Man comparing his cause of death to The Troubles in Northern Ireland. W.B. Yeats (1865-1939) - Irish poet, dramatist and writer with an interest in the occult who helped found the Abbey Theatre and was a senator for the Irish Free State. He is one of the most important historical figures in Irish history. Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021) - husband and consort to Queen Elizabeth who served in the navy as a young man, serving in the Second World War. He died recently so it would be a good choice. Jordan Belfort (born 1962) - former stockbroker, author, motivational speaker and convicted felon who committed fraud via stock market manipulation. His book was the inspiration behind the film The Wolf of Wall Street starring Leonardo DiCaprio in 2013. Andrew Cunanan (1969-1997) - spree killer responsible for five murders before his suicide via gunshot. His victims include Gianna Versace and Lee Miglin. Lee Miglin (1924-1997) - American business tycoon, real estate developer and philanthropist who was spree killer, Andrew Cunanan’s third murder victim. “The Count of Saint Germain” (1691 or 1712 -died 1784) - European Adventurer who achieved prominence in high society in the 1700’s. His real name is unknown while his background is obscure. He claimed to be the son of Prince Francis II Rakoczi of Transylvania. He was arrested for suspicion of espionage during the Jacobite rebellion but was released without charge. Julia d’Aunigny (1670 or 1673 -died 1707) - 17th century French opera singer who was known for her flamboyant lifestyle. Her father was a secretary to the master of the horse to King Louis XIV. She was a keen sword fighter, cross-dressed and tried to run away with a female lover after killing a man in a duel. She died at the age of 33. Past American presidents, British prime ministers, monarchs and Roman emperors would be good as well.

[@ThatElfTorunn]

I think Simon is sick of talking about Romans, but the rest seem like great suggestions. I'd watch all of these videos.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

How about some french, german and russian leaders? They all had more or less impact on history and formed europe how it is today.

[@homelessjesse9453]

Exactly. A lot of people blame Buchanan or Lincoln for the Civil War, but Polk should have had the foresight to understand what was going on.

[@MGscribe]

James K. Polk: The President who completed America

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

The president who pushed the Dominos.

[@DW-nb2zc]

HE COMPLETES US 😃

[@amossauceda9972]

I’m writing a paper currently on him, this video will help tremendously

[@dogsoupblues]

Far and away my favorite president since forever. While I don't agree with his political beliefs, the way he managed to accomplish everything he did is admirable, if not an inspiration.

[@johnschuh8616]

One thing he did not accomplish. If his emissary in Mexico had not double-crossed him, he probably would have annexed the Yucatan and pointed the US to expansion south to Panama. The ultimate goal of manifest destiny was a US from pole to the Isthmus of Panama and maybe inclusion of Columbia. Such expansion would have dampened northern attention from western settlement.

[@zeusdeuce7438]

Warographics sounds amazing!!!

[@braedon1986]

My knees went weak with the penis surgery part. Remember folks, it can always be worse. Be grateful we live today.

[@michaelpipkin9942]

War-o-Graphics. Great. Another channel I'm definitely going to subscribe to.... Damnit Simon, I have to sleep!!!

[@sylentlight6771]

I really enjoyed this video. I grew up in the town just north of where the James K. Polk home resides in downtown Columbia, TN. Took many elementary school field trips to the place, REALLY neat! Coincidentally the Rattle n Snap mansion owned by Jackson is in the town south of that. Come to think of it, Maury County Tennessee does have quite a bit of history from that era!

[@tedpuckett8066]

Rattle n Snap owned by Jackson?

[@JaredHassell]

Great video. They recently voted on moving Polk's remains from the TN state capitol grounds, to his home in Columbia, TN, 40 miles south.

[@D38401]

Honestly I will be surprised if they do it. With road work in the area. There isn't much room to put him there. Maybe at St. Paul cemetery. Since his family actually started the church. The cemetery his parents are buried at is closed.

[@yuukikisaragi1089]

It still has three more governmental bodies to go through before anything actually happens, though, so I doubt it will.

[@yuukikisaragi1089]

@@D38401 actually, there is room in the Polk Home back gardens if it does happen.

[@jayestrada3852]

Would love to see one of Luis Muñoz Marin and he role in Puerto Rico's political status as a territory or Free Associated State.

[@alec2726]

Well done. I can now go to bed at the end of the day knowing I know something new that I didn't know yesterday, about someone I didn't know anything about.

[@laurenbridges5992]

His grandfather and my great great (etc) grandfather, Captain Charles Polk, were brothers 😊 I love hearing about the Polk family history. They were one of the families that helped make NC. Big players in Mecklenburg County, also connected to the Alexander family. A few of the Polks were also signers of the Mecklenburg Resolves.

[@lesterjohnson2621]

Big slave owners too

[@laurenbridges5992]

@@lesterjohnson2621 yes, I know the Alexanders and Polks both owned slaves. I got into some research about the ones that belonged to Charles. Charles had 3 but purchased a 4th so that they could stay together (a mother, 2 sons and a daughter). I learned that he and his family were kind. No extreme labor or mistreatment. I'm not defending slavery by any means, but I will defend my ancestors to a degree because from what little I know about them they were kind and decent people. Slavery was a part of life back then, a terrible part that I wish never happened. However, the facts of the times can't be changed so all we can do is grow and learn from previous mistakes.

[@michaelfrazia4569]

@@lesterjohnson2621 ok captain obvious. it's a fair bet any families of note during that time period whether it be in the US south, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, etc owned slaves of some kind...and not only white owners....when someone brings up Martin Luther King is the first thing out of your mouth that he was a big adulterer?

[@tinacastor1361]

Hi there ... cousin! I just found out I'm related to the Polks as well! James Polk is my 2nd cousin, 7x removed.

[@davidbush6583]

@@laurenbridges5992 Your family's history is very interesting and it's nice to see your measured response in the face of anyone who might be in a niggling snit over it.. Also, I like to think that there was a Meck Dec.

[@newyardleysinclair9960]

It was worth it. America has done more good for the world than the native Americans would

[@TerenceClark]

Simon: It's been like 3 weeks since I launched a new channel. That's just unacceptable!

[@crazylocha2515]

Well done Simon and staff.

[@christophermac6679]

Great video, I learned more about president Polk I already knew he was great, but my motto is “if I didn’t learn something today, I did it wrong”

[@christopherwebb3517]

James K. Polk would eventually have a high school in the Chicago area named after him. It was there that a young man named Al Bundy would score six touchdowns in a single football game - securing a legendary status for both Polk and Bundy.

[@lesterjohnson2621]

4 touchdowns......get your facts straight buddy

[@christopherwebb3517]

@@lesterjohnson2621 - It was six touchdowns. That "four touchdown" crap is fake news propaganda spread by Bubba "Spare Tire" Dixon and Andrew Johnson High School.

[@marcgorter8651]

The high school in the Nickelodeon show Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide was named after James K. Polk.

[@DarkDesperado25]

Probably the most exposure Polk has gotten in recent times.

[@therwfer]

Al Bundy went to Polk High

[@jahjohnson31]

It’s middle school

[@marcgorter8651]

@@jahjohnson31 I do apologize, I am neither overly familiar with the American school system, nor the lore of Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide 😂

[@newsnowhere918]

Thank you

[@designsthatbuild]

I love your videos. I have actually bought and read books based on the people you cover- including Toussaint L'Ouverture and Simon Bolivar. As far as Polk though, John Tyler added Texas just a few days before Polk took office (that is why there is a Tyler, TX on the map). Polk's promise was to add California; not Texas. This is critical because the common narrative is that the Mexican War was simply about expanding slavery. No doubt, there were many who did want to expand slavery, but the war was also about manifest destiny, and controlling the west coast. The British controlled territory all over the world, including the Pacific, such as China (where the Opium Wars ushered the Chinese into their century of humiliation), and the Sandwich islands (Hawaii) where Captain Cook had discovered the islands for the British (you did a great video about him). There were perfectly good reasons for wanting to control the west coast, namely the port of San Francisco. People in the US didn't know what the European powers would do in the Pacific, although much of their fears were unfounded. Polk was for popular sovereignty, so he was about letting states choose whether they would be slave or free. That is one reason why the adding of Oregon territory might balance out the slave states. California was also later added as a free state. It is hard to say whether he bore responsibility for the Civil War. I got most of my information from Robert Merry's book on Polk. I also looked up an 1845 map of the US one time and made an interesting discovery: Mexico had about as much land as the US in 1845. America was definitely the wealthier, more powerful nation at the time, but as far as land, the two were about equal before the war. It was a controversial war for sure, and Ulysses Grant called it the most unjust war in history. It also helped the US survive.

[@alanlight7740]

We don't hear much about the Mexican War - at least where I live - but though it may have been unjust it's worth remembering that the parts of Mexico seized by the United States in that war were very sparsely populated by Mexicans, that in fact there may have been more English-speakers living in the area, and that a majority of the Spanish-speakers in those territories backed the United States because the Mexican government was unable to provide any sort of security. Also, the biggest de facto power in the area were the Comanche. In other words, almost all that territory was Mexican in name only.

[@Unknowngfyjoh]

Warographics. I love it! I bet only Simon and Co. could make The Italian Wars interesting!

[@MissMargaret]

Warographics HAS to happen! I would love to audition to write for that one

[@paulmatolsy4593]

Another great little vignette, Simon.

[@pekkaastrom7346]

Hi, there! I'm an old guy from Sweden, and very much interested in history. I think of myself as fairly proficient in spoken English. However, you speak too fast, my friend! Let each sentence settle a microsecond longer, and I will support your channel wholeheartedly. "Life is not a race, but a lesson..." 🥰

[@slimphotog]

Go to the gear symbol, click it and select "Playback speed" and you can choose a speed to listen to Simon as fast or slow as you like.

[@pamelahunter2053]

Well spoken. Please slow down a bit.

[@georgedoughty-zr3ed]

Use the captions.

[@rconach]

I am American and listen to Simon’s videos at 3/4 speed. I also use the captions. Very easy to understand Simon at the slower speed.

[@jaytrace1006]

You should do a story about Howell Cobb, the man who was kind of the President between Polk & Zachary Taylor, and was also a provisional president of the Confederate States of America prior to Jefferson Davis assuming office.

[@mcarlkv53]

Yes, great video. I used to do my book reports in school on this guy. Great president! Accomplished what he said he would do!

[@farfromperfek]

They might be Giants wrote a song honoring him.

[@schris3]

As a Mexican of course I hate this president, but I can always respect guys who do what they say are going to do.

[@mattthesilent777RED]

As a Brit, I put this guy into my top 10 best, I might've have put him in the top 5 if not for the war against Mexico

[@TheKnoxvicious]

Kept all his promises and pissed the Mexicans off? He is the best

[@mattthesilent777RED]

@@TheKnoxvicious He also has a good song from Mr Beat

[@AngelloDelNorte]

As a Mexican-american myself, I really like this president, which is why I'm here to learn more. Not only did he keep his promises and left. But in doing so, he prevented southwest usa to become a brutal narcostate and a 3rd world like how MX basically is like now. Texas and CA became the richest states of the USA and contributed so much to the GDP, revenue, and further development! James K. Polk is cool. And may God bless America!✝️ 🦅🇺🇸 😎

[@AngelloDelNorte]

​@mattthesilent777RED Seeing MX is a brutal narcostate (cartels are way more ruthless than isis or talibans after all), and 3rd world, I'll say, as a Mexican-american, he did well saving the southwest from all that.

[@brandonf24]

Shout-out from Columbia, Tennessee... thanks for this 👍

[@theangrygamer6427]

One of our most underrated presidents

[@Kole_D]

OMG. WAROGRAPHICS Is all I’ve ever wished for !

[@TheRichMarion]

Can you PLEASE do a video on Kit Carson? He’s such an underrated figure. Also Francis Marion.

[@RedStreak636]

Late but love all the channels mate, favorite youtuber. 🤙🏻

[@jamellfoster6029]

I've lived through 8 Presidents from Carter to Biden so I know how many have kept promises & how many have failed to keep their promises...

[@themannerchannel784]

Great video. Warographics! Yes!

[@joezegers]

He accomplished more in four years than most do in eight

[@williamfrank962]

> be Polk > Run on epic campaign promises > get elected > Actual uphold on promises > Refuse to elaborate >Leave after 1 term

[@heartfelttherapy]

I would like to hear you do something on the San Patricios involvement in the Mexican-American War

[@jamesowens7176]

Excellent video! You make history fun to watch!

[@margiesoapyhairbillian4754]

3:34

[@hakeemfullerton8645]

Hopefully Biographics with be able to make a video on these former presidents in the foreseeable future: Grover Cleveland Andrew Jackson Chester A. Arthur Woodrow Wilson John Adams Thomas Jefferson James Madison James Monroe William Howard Taft James Garfield John Quincy Adams

[@Ashannon888]

My guess is over time he'll go through all of them.

[@stevelowe2647]

Bro you've blatantly just googled the list of presidents (probably 1 term insignificant presidents)

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

While going through US presdtents, why not add historically important (and less important) leaders of other countries to the list?

[@williamstocker584]

He’s covered a few of them

[@imPyramd]

This is lit thanks *flosses*

[@nope6908]

James K Polk is one of the most underrated presidents in American history

[@phoenixpolk4676]

Hey this is my uncle thank you guys for making this vid I 100% agree and I bet I know more about him than anyone is the world

[@awesomegamercz]

Thanks subtitle guy for cementing "James K. Pog" in my mind.

[@Okay-pr9fp]

It’s wild how just based on who explains the story changes your perspective on it, I’ve seen many documentaries where they paint Polk in a terrible way

[@captaincrazy3758]

I'm grateful for James K. Polk for bring my state into the USA. The state I live in is Washington State.

[@keithprice4711]

He brought in my home state of California too

[@SpidermanandJeny]

My oh my. What an extraordinarily consequential President. His impact can hardly be overrated. Even today his acts are still highly important. He added what would be many states.

[@sallyintucson]

Fun Fact: Arizona’s border was originally supposed to end at the Salt River (Phoenix Metro).

[@theskeptic2010]

It did until 1853 - Gadsden Purchase

[@christopherfiore960]

I'm most definitely not the first to post this. They Might Be Giants taught me a fun thread of history regarding Presidents Polks run : In 1844, the Democrats were split The three nominees for the presidential candidate Were Martin Van Buren, a former president and an abolitionist James Buchanan, a moderate Louis Cass, a general and expansionist From Nashville came a dark horse riding up He was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump Austere, severe, he held few people dear His oratory filled his foes with fear The factions soon agreed He's just the man we need To bring about victory Fulfill our manifest destiny And annex the land the Mexicans command And when the votes were cast the winner was Mister James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump In four short years he met his every goal He seized the whole southwest from Mexico Made sure the tariffs fell And made the English sell the Oregon territory He built an independent treasury Having done all this he sought no second term But precious few have mourned the passing of Mister James K. Polk, our eleventh president Young Hickory, Napoleon of the Stump. If you are reading this in the tone of "John" you are a fan as well! 😁

[@renaissanceredneck73]

Why are we as a society beginning to judge our forefathers based on our current sensibilities. As abhorrent as slavery is/was it was a fact of that time, we should judge our ancestors against the sensibilities of THEIR time, but never forget the things they did we don't agree with. I.e. "He was a magnificent president, expanded the nation, and created three new states. He was also a slave owner during a time when it was legal, and while he did free his slaves upon his death. He didn't do anything to free the other slaves not under his control." We cannot change history to suit our wants and whims. It is what it is, as ugly and brutal and savage as it might be. We need not try to change the past, but we do need to endeavor to learn from it.

[@jahjohnson31]

Tell that to the half bald chicks in the back

[@renaissanceredneck73]

@@jahjohnson31 🤣😂🤣😂Right!!! I wish common sense wasn't such a rare flower 🌹

[@jahjohnson31]

@@renaissanceredneck73 people think history and to a lesser extent nature has to make sense in comparison to how we view things now

[@jahjohnson31]

@@renaissanceredneck73 sadly that’s just not how it works

[@renaissanceredneck73]

@@jahjohnson31 they need to start teaching "logic and rhetoric" again. My dad (class of '74) has told me that was one of his required classes in high school. As he put it, "the class taught you HOW to think, not WHAT to think. It taught you how to argue without letting your feelings or emotions get in the way of the facts"

[@stevenwallman2346]

I had, in fact, heard of this president, having served aboard the USS James K Polk (SSBN 645) for more than four years.

[@lucyjexy]

Franklin Pierce had a tragic life story, but his military career reads like a Blackadder comedy. This excellent, mostly forgotten President is worthy of a Biographics.

[@davidpierce9949]

And because his name is pierce he must have been awesome!

[@jamesclendon4811]

But isn't he justly forgotten? He perhaps wasn't as irredeemably bad as he's usually regarded, but I don't think Simon's minions could find as many admirable aspects to his career as they did with Polk.

[@GetRidOfCivilAssetForfeiture]

Pierce is considered by many to be the worst, most incompetent president of all time.

[@stevencooke6451]

@@GetRidOfCivilAssetForfeiture He sitting with Buchanan, Andrew Johnson and Trump.