The Most Underrated American President

Here's the story of James K. Polk, the most underrated President in American history. He did more in four years as President than most Presidents do in eight. #jamespolk #apush #americanpresidents
My James Polk song: • The James Polk Song
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Produced by Matt Beat. Music by Electric Needle Room. All images either by Matt Beat, found in the public domain, or used under fair use guidelines.
Sources:
fivethirtyeigh...
Matuz, Roger. The Presidents Fact Book.
millercenter.o...
www.dmwv.org/me...
college.unc.ed...
Photo credits:
ProhibitOnions
Matthew Trump
Kimberly Vardeman
Tom Murphy VII
Tilden76
Golbez
Sealy j
Ch1902
Kballen
Sound credits:
thecheeseman
When I think of American Presidents who kept their promises, the first one that always pops in my head is James K. Polk. Even though Polk had such a huge impact on the United States, hardly any Americans know about him. James Polk is underrated. So in this video, I’m going to give him some much needed recognition.
Polk was born literally in a log cabin near Pineville, North Carolina on November 2, 1795, the oldest of ten kids. When he was ten, his family picked up everything and moved west to the Tennessee frontier. They took the 500-mile journey by wagon, and it sucked. However, James’ dad did well in Tennessee, living the American Dream, eventually owning thousands of acres of farmland and lots and lots of slaves.
Polk was sickly growing up. At 17, he had horrible gallstones and had to have them surgically removed. This was before anesthesia, ok. They cut open his body and removed the gallstones while he was completely conscious, strapped to a table and holding his dad’s hand. But the good news is his overall health recovered quite a bit after this. At 18, he barely knew how to read or write, but he really kicked it into gear at that age, studying his butt off and becoming proficient in English, Greek, and Latin. He ended up graduating from the University of North Carolina with first honors in both mathematics and classics. Next, Polk studied law and found himself becoming more and more interested in politics. He was always a fan of Thomas Jefferson, but he was quickly becoming inspired by a family friend named Andrew Jackson. By the time Polk was in his twenties, Jackson was a war hero who was looking to become President.
After being a lawyer for a bit, Polk aligned himself with Jackson when he ran for the Tennessee legislature in 1823. He won that election and became popular in Tennessee, becoming a Representative in Congress for Tennessee’s Sixth District two years later. While in Congress, Polk was one of Andrew Jackson’s biggest supporters, earning him the nickname “Young Hickory,” you know...since Jackson was “Old Hickory?” So clever, I know. After Jackson became President in 1829, Polk was right with Jackson on every major decision, including the decision not to renew the charter of the Second Bank of the United States. His support made Polk one of the early leaders of the newly formed Democratic Party. Polk’s colleagues elected him to Speaker of the House in 1835, and he greatly expanded that role. In 1839, Tennessee residents elected him governor. However, he lost his re-election bids the next two times as many blamed the Democratic Party for the economic depression of the late 1830s and early 1840s.
In 1844, Polk became the first dark-horse Presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, meaning at the beginning of the Democratic Party national convention no one thought he had a chance but by the end of it he was their guy, mostly because Polk wanted to annex the country of Texas, adding it to the United States.
So in 1844, it ended up being Polk versus Henry Clay, the Whig Party candidate who had a history of losing presidential elections. During his campaign, Polk made no effort to hide his ambitions. He was very clear. He was a firm believer in manifest destiny, or the belief that the United States expanding across the entire continent was the right thing to do and destined to happen. Polk wanted to expand the country’s border whenever and wherever possible, and most Americans seemed to agree with him.
Polk promised he was only running for one term, but if elected, during those four years he would 1) cut tariffs
2) re-create an independent U.S. Treasury
3) add some or all of Oregon Territory to the United States
And 4) somehow get California and New Mexico from Mexico and add it to the United States

[@iammrbeat]

For your "best Presidents lists", where do you rank James K. Polk?

[@EPluribusUnumYT]

Meh, when I rank US Presidents, Polk ranks #19

[@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong]

Off topic a bit but what are your thoughts about Kris Kobach winning?

[@iammrbeat]

Not a Kris Kobach fan. I will be voting against him in November.

[@j-man8546]

Mr. Beat you should do a joint Supreme Court briefs video on Gregg v Georgia and Furman v Georgia

[@EPluribusUnumYT]

@@iammrbeat Well then who are you supporting, Jeff Caldwell (L), lan Cohen (I), Aaron Coleman (I), Laura Kelly (D), Rick Kloos (I), Greg Orman (I), or Nicholas Schrieber (I)

[@adrianespinel7758]

I think the reason we think politicians and Presidents DON'T keep their promises is because we humans have a tendency on focusing on the public failures than on the quiet successes, we focus more on the 33% that didn't get done than on the 67% that did.

[@punctuationman334]

Adrian Espinel that becomes exacerbated when right and left wing media sites only focus on the failures of there opponents. If Bernie becomes president expect the right the pull off the same bullshit the left did with Trump.

[@user-ip5xn9ks9k]

@@punctuationman334 True

[@SHURIKENRCN]

Baby Blue Exactly

[@hangukhiphop]

Sure, 67% (attempted) might be the quantitative results (by some measurement), but what about the qualitative results? Some issues carry more weight than others, not only in scope but also in how polarizing it was at the time and how hard the sitting president was willing to fight for it.

[@TheGenericAssasin]

This is actually a psychological phenomenon that is documented and studied. Humans have a strong negativity bias, so you need at least 5 good things for every 2-3 bad to consider an experience positive.

[@aidenlosh9518]

Um, underrated? Excuse me, Mr. Beat, but be had the highest honor of being the namesake of the middle school in Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. :)

[@iammrbeat]

Indeed!

[@Shardok42]

He's also the namesake of one of the two counties that my city, Salem OR, is part of it.

[@hendog5396]

Aiden Losh 11/10 comment

[@JCReeves]

Not to mention having his namesake emblazoned across the chest of #33, Mr. Al Bundy in the 1966 Chicago City Championship! Al honored Polk with 4 touchdowns as they smote their opponent who carried the moniker of the disgraced, impeachable Andrew Johnson!

[@MuhammadFarukh]

Ah, that was a great show from back in the day!

[@yms8280]

Gallstones. Removed at 17 years old. Surgically. No anesthesia. I can’t even...

[@iammrbeat]

I think he had Brandy at least (the drink, not his girlfriend at the time)

[@TheSphee131]

They were BUILT DIFFERENT

[@benbauer7866]

I’m not a giant manifest destiny fan, but it’s hard to deny Polk’s accomplishments are very tangible and paved the way for the US to become the superpower it is today.

[@EmmaDoty21]

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

[@ohmyblindman]

Trump anyone?

[@dsxa918]

He was a better president than a lot of them.

[@wintersouljah8437]

He got his ruthlessness from the man he admired the most... Old hickory..

[@jimmyday656]

We need to legalize dualing for members of congress. Cut back on the 5h1t talk, and would make Jackson proud.

[@Shaw4123]

He was Young Hickory.

[@notaraven]

@@jimmyday656 if I recall Hamilton pulled a "suicide by duel" to basically ruin the career of his rival. I always figured that's the reason why duels fell out of favor, no one really comes out of a duel looking good or reasonable...

[@excelisfun]

Your videos are consistently awesome! Thanks Mr. Beat!!!

[@luiscastanon6031]

No you’re that’s it

[@heatherperleberg7816]

@@luiscastanon6031 What?

[@shikat2371]

James Polk was the one responsible for expanding the United States all the way to the Pacific. He fulfilled all of his campaign promises, including taking California away from Mexico and Oregon from the British. He worked so hard that, by the time he left office, he was so exhausted that his immune system suffered greatly. He would die in less than four months after leaving office. I think Polk was the only American president who promised to serve only one term.

[@simonepatuzzi5838]

No, even Rutherford Hayes

[@annbush1826]

Calvin Coolidge?

[@nope929]

@@annbush1826 no, he didn't come in promising.

[@nope929]

@@simonepatuzzi5838 he didn't run on that though like Polk

[@Shaw4123]

He also wanted the Baja California peninsula and the Sonora desert two sparsely populated areas included in the original treaty of Guadalupe, Nicolas Trist failed to acquire them in negotiations though.

[@revinhatol]

To most Native Americans ("Indians"), he was like Thanos when we watched the MCU.

[@revinhatol]

@Captain Blammo *Thanos

[@matertua2272]

As a Native American I can confirm this.

[@nope929]

*American Indian A poll was conducted where they prefer American Indian to Native Americans due to Native American being too general, although most vastly prefer their tribe's name to anything else

[@juantistic3855]

mexicans too

[@grahamvert8174]

haw haw 19th century racial prejudice is like sooper hero moovy

[@insertaliashere1379]

In 1844, the Democrats were split, The three nominees for the presidential candidate, Martin Van Buren, a former President, and an abolitionist, James Buchanan, a moderate, Lewis Cass, a general and expansionist, From Nashville came a dark horse riding ooooooooooooooooon, *He was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump* - They Might Be Giants

[@arthurmarsch6211]

Yes!! I was just about to post about this song!! It slaps!!!!

[@jag3596]

I really appreciate that you took the time to have grammatically correct subtitles. Really helps people like me whose speakers are completely busted.

[@jag3596]

It's a shame I couldn't hear that song of yours though.

[@iammrbeat]

I appreciate you giving me this feedback. It's a pain to type those in, but glad to see it is well worth it. :D

[@dwavyy300]

What your dumbass can’t understand unless it’s grammatically correct ? Wierdos

[@heatherperleberg7816]

@@dwavyy300 ?can't this person saying you what is understand

[@zoomerjack5435]

Honestly, I'd go with either Polk or Silent Cal as the most underrated president.

[@johngrauman4208]

Coolidge set up the conditions for the great depression which Hoover got all the blame for. Polk is basically a thief

[@gwynethprice99]

John Grauman erm no

[@WTMNNJR]

Tammy T ah yes the Federal Reserve.

[@aznluvr7]

@Tammy T So 6 years of Coolidge mean nothing then?

[@neilpemberton5523]

@Tammy T Wrong! The Great Depression was caused by the initial policy responses to the financial crash, according to this economics writer: www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/2015/10/18/the-fed-and-the-great-depression-a-myth-that-just-wont-die/amp/

[@dijondarling]

Stay woke. Mr. Beat made this video only to promote his own bangin' tunes

[@iammrbeat]

Of course not, but since you brought up, feel free to purchase my James Polk song on Itunes ;) itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-presidents-of-the-united-states-of-america-volume-1/765425539

[@Sp1n1985]

@@iammrbeat 🎶 after the forth listening 👂🏾 its kinda catchy

[@coderedskyrim]

I remember my 8th grade history teacher telling me that he was the most underappreciated president of all time.

[@SiVlog1989]

Like I said in a previous video, I put Gerald Ford in the category of underrated presidents. Someone who was an antidote to Richard Nixon and his bribery and back stabbing, rebuilding trust between the government and the American people

[@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong]

The Nixon pardon ruined his chance for reelection but he did it anyway, because he knew the country needed to get past Watergate. I admire him very much for that.

[@SiVlog1989]

@@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong I don't know if it's true, but I have read that Gerald Ford was the last president who had a somewhat decent relationship with all sides the press, able to answer the questions put to him honestly and without bitterness

[@iammrbeat]

And I still agree with you!

[@johnnybadboy3475]

Yeah and it was funny when he tripped coming down from Air Force one.

[@FrankieBlueEyes]

@@johnnybadboy3475 he was clumsy, yet he was probably the best athlete ever to be president having played football for Michigan and turning down offers to play in the NFL.

[@rambunctiousbearguy]

It’s a good day when you release a new video

[@iammrbeat]

It's a good day when you leave such a nice comment. :D

[@nickcameron4107]

how can he be underrated when he's the only president that I know of that has a They Might Be Giants song?

[@spamsingles5948]

Tippecanoe and Tyler too have a song as well though

[@dj_vin6]

Im currently binge watching Mr Beat this is so awesome! :D

[@AtomicReverend]

How is KZbin demonetizing. History videos?

[@iammrbeat]

They demonetize for controversial topics. I have 23 videos that are currently demonetized.

[@AtomicReverend]

Mr. Beat I figured as much. I love history, especially US history it bothers me that people want to change facts or try to rewrite it or even worse hide it. The thing is, almost all of history can be controversial. From the Moors invading Sicily, to something modern like Trump getting the middle class blue collar vote... Well I guess at least they haven't suspended your account. I keep hoping for an internet bill of Rights that will protect freedom of speech... I know these are private companies (FB, KZbin, Twitter and the like) but this is the modern day town square and it bothers me that suppression is practiced in the United States by companies that made their fortunes off of American citizens.

[@jons5756]

Can't talk about politics, old or new

[@jctevo3d1978]

1984...much?

[@nightprowler6336]

Instagram also shadow bans political, historical, or geographical accounts.

[@Helloredtiger333]

Being a huge ass US History need these videos warm my soul! Thank you Mr. Beast

[@iammrbeat]

lol sure thing

[@person3070]

don't you just hate it when youre big US history

[@Michael_De_Santa-Unofficial]

@@person3070 Happened to me once. Hated it.

[@corbetthowell3392]

Gonna have to disagree. Calvin Coolidge is probably the most underrated.

[@redjirachi1]

He had 4/3rds of a term instead of 3/3rds

[@caoilte8097]

Well in the youtube us history community Coolidge is greatly loved but Pol is never talked about

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

What the hell did Cal do?

[@makemedosomething1671]

@@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633 cut taxes for the rich

[@chrissygerwitz520]

@@makemedosomething1671 And set the country up for a stock market crash and the Great Depression.

[@108nighthawk]

He (Polk) is always on my list near the top. Another underappreciated one, ate least in my opinion, is Calvin Coolidge.

[@NoahBodze]

Calvin Coolidge is our second-greatest President, second only to Washington for obvious “first” reasons.

[@prodripper1401]

My boy Chester a. Arthur was also a pretty good guy

[@pauloluciomachadodebrito8107]

Some corrupt schemes that started in the Harding administration, existed during Coolidge period and would keep on the Hoover days. Not to mention that Coolidge administration didn't see the problems in the production especulation and stockmarket especulation, leading up the 1929 recession Not to mention the growth of crime organizations with the alcohol trafficking, such crime organizations would be taken down only in the 80's. By Rudolph Giuliani and the R. I. C. O. Law.

[@MichaelSidneyTimpson]

@@NoahBodze except for helping cause the Great Depression....

[@NoahBodze]

@@MichaelSidneyTimpson Next time, stupid, just say "I don't understand economics." It's exponentially more succinct and honest than the objectively stupid post you just wrote... and it spares us all of how little you know. Next time, tho, stupid. Everyone here knows you're stupid now. You're welcome!

[@osmiumsoul9535]

I love that song Mr beat. It's probably my most listened to of your president songs honestly

[@InternetDarkLord]

7:45 Fun fact: The treaty did not include the San Juan Islands, resulting in the 12 year Pig War between the US and British Empire.

[@JamesKPolk-zf9rm]

Underrated? People don’t see me for my glory of expanding the country by 1/3? How apostrophes, thank you Mr. Beat for understanding my true greatness.

[@IronicallySell]

Polk was doing deeds when no one was bothered to remember, an underrated legend

[@LePrince1890]

With his Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft, he created Annapolis as a Naval Academy.

[@blackbloodwolf]

As a black man who grew up in Detroit and went to Detroit Public Schools; I'm proud that they taught us about John Brown in our history classes as I'm noticing that many people didn't have the same coming up. Should definitely be added to the curriculums of standard education for history

[@doctormatthattan]

it’s wild seeing jimmy dore and joe rogan in a mr. beat video

[@iammrbeat]

I actually am a fan of both.

[@thehomeplatespecial597]

He shouldnt sully his videos with jimmy

[@Ian-xd2in]

@@iammrbeatwhat about now Mr beat?

[@MoreOnPleeez]

Why does it matter? Im curious.​@@Ian-xd2in

[@thewestisthebest6608]

And the award for the most overrated President goes to John F. Kennedy Kennedy wasn't a bad Presidents but people consistently rank him with in their top 5 rated Presidents right up their with our Mount Rushmore Presidents even though Kennedy had no significant legislative victories, he started our involvement in Vietnam which his Vice President continued, the economy wasn't bad but wasn't great under him. He did do some good with starting our space race to the Moon but ultimately he was an average, maybe slightly above average President that most Americans rank as one of the greatest American Presidents right up there with Lincoln and Jefferson where he does not belong.

[@zyxwut321]

Without his assassination he would've had a difficult presidency. LBJ was much less likable and charismatic but he was scary tough and smart and willing to sacrifice himself for his goals. He ultimately did, living just a few years after he retired in poor health and shattered by the impacts of the Vietnam War and social strife.

[@yao052]

The West is the Best Although JFK is one of my favorite presidents and it is true that he was quite overrated, he didn't escalated the conflict in Vietnam. While Kennedy did put a lot of troops or like he would say "advisors" in Vietnam, LBJ (another favorite president of mine) was the one who turned the conflict into a war after the Gulf of Tonkin incident. There is even evidence that JFK wanted to pull troops out of Vietnam in 1965.

[@yao052]

The West is the Best personally, I believe that Reagan gets the price as the most overrated US president of the 20th century.

[@yourmama3515]

He could’ve done way more if he was re-elected

[@kordellwilliams4317]

Nah, Ronald Reagan is definitely more overrated

[@terrywaters1667]

Mr. Beat does a great job and he helps you remember facts. Greetings from Nashville.

[@suralos]

How did you know I was wearing a green shirt?

[@iammrbeat]

What can I say- I guessed. ;)

[@diannhall7564]

Thank you. I enjoyed this. Polk has always been one of my favorites because he knew what he wanted and did it in ONE term! And exited gracefully!!

[@TheAutisticBrony]

Sadly the man worked himself to death. The stress made him more vulnerable to cholera.

[@aryotec]

Hello Mr.Beast

[@iammrbeat]

HOW DARE YOU. :)

[@aryotec]

@@iammrbeat hehe :)

[@philipgagarin6673]

@@aryotec hi Ryan poop

[@anikaloper9504]

personally i think jimmy carter is the most underrated. he is a man with unwavering morals who negotiated the camp david accords and panama canal treaty, and supported civil rights as the governor of a state that was largely segregated. his presidency was by no means flawless, but he was certainly handed the short end of the stick in the fact that many of the factors that contributed to his downfall were out of his control. i think he always did what he felt was right regardless of optics, which also made him look bad at times.

[@philip8551]

I KNEW it was going to be Polk before I clicked. I recommend an excellent biography I have called, 'Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America'.

[@lucysomers8334]

i only know about him thanks to apush and my teacher called him “land santa”

[@LegoLiam1803]

Polk is actually one of my favorite Presidents. Top 10 even.

[@zacharyclark4290]

Napoleon of the Stump.

[@iammrbeat]

Darn straight.

[@thelionsmane3032]

James Polk was already my favorite president before this video :) nice

[@paulzollinger6343]

I clicked out of this vid sooo many times because I thought the link was messed up. It kept starting with Rogan and I looked and looked until I fast forwarded to find out it was correct. What a Boomer I am. Goot work, BTW, Mr Beat.

[@patrickbateman8622]

Thanks man

[@khaul]

When I was in middle school civics class, I was picked to do a presentation on Polk, at the time I was very upset, “who is this guy?”, I thought. Finding out he was the reason the US got so much territory it surprised me. All in one term, very crazy

[@CoPSwords]

KZbin is demonitizing Mr. Beat? What the heck?

[@iammrbeat]

About 23 of my videos are demonetized for covering "controversial topics"

[@Sp1n1985]

@@iammrbeat did this get resolved?

[@msgreen512]

This video was AWESOME, I am your newest subscriber and l will support this channel and the other. I actually admire President James Polk. He was ruthless yes, but he did what he said he'd do!🇨🇱

[@Tennis932000]

I think i've said it at least a hundred times, but your channel is criminally underrated and you should have at least a million subs. Although history channels and informative channels are on the rise now and it is the new trend ( channels like Cynical Historian, The Exploration, knowing better, Epimetheus, The Armchair Historian, Name explain, The great war, Jabzy, Invicta, Emperor Tigerstar, Historia Civilis, Kings and Generals, Wonder why, Feature History, History with Elbert, Ten Minute History) Tried to include everyone i watch, probably missed some but you get my point, these are all channels on the rise and all of them awesome channels but not quite as good as you, wish you the best Mr. Beat!!!

[@barbarak2836]

tennis932000 Thank you so much for mentioning all these history channels to check out!

[@AustinSPTD1996]

Also not a particular favorite of mine, but one admittedly has to credit Polk for his work ethic and fulfilling all of his major promises within a single term. Certainly a short yet interesting video on him, Mr. Beat. Definitely the embodiment of a person of their word!

[@cpt.flippybirds9015]

As always, you refresh my grade school memories... they don't teach these things in our schools anymore... sad.... Hey, maybe you should have used "Polka"music for the song? Have a nice day ☺🐦

[@charliemoore1218]

James K. Polk’s house in Murfreesboro was awesome. I had such a cool tour there and learned so much about his home life.

[@MVTX]

As a Texan, I appreciate what President Polk did for my state. We were better off joining the United States at that time.

[@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong]

Lol Texas sucks. Stolen from Mexico by a bunch of white farmers who were mad Mexico had outlawed slavery. Should of left them to rot on their own.

[@MVTX]

nice name you got, troll. I'm not White by the way I am actually Tejano. And my family prospered way better under the rule of those "white farmers" than they would have under the Mexican flag.

[@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong]

+Michael Vargas Yeah cause your family wasn't black.

[@jarrellkoo3619]

Tired of being jewed Just ignore this hypocrite

[@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong]

+Tired of being jewed The anti Semitic trolls are always the weakest in their insults.

[@HitmanR97]

First good video I could find, thank you sir

[@ja_e314]

in 1844 this man kept his campaign promise, and only ran one term, while now we have a guy who can't take his own re-election loss, and made america mediocre

[@aaronpro595]

James K. Polk was also the first president to be photographed while in office

[@timgish4888]

Well done on the most underrated president very informative!!

[@HDRookie]

I remember in high school history we got assigned a president to cover their achievements for a project and I got Polk and thought it would be hard. It was super easy it turned out. So when I saw the title I had a feeling lol.

[@UnkleGaga]

Hahaha. Same thing happened to me.

[@chandlerwhite8302]

:30 wow, it’s my hometown!! Shout out to Columbia, Tennessee. Drove right by it today.

[@sambradley2975]

James K Polk, Chester Arthur, Ronald Reagan, George Washington, Richard Nixon, Theodore Roosevelt, William McKinley, Calvin Coolidge, Andrew Jackson, John Adams.

[@ericcrawford3453]

I agree with your assessment of James K. Polk. Back in 1999 I lived in Nashvil so I drove to his home and no one was there , I mean no one I just rambled around his house & it was very cool. Tha ks

[@drewm3996]

The most underrated president “Andrew Jackson biggest supporter” doubt intensifies*

[@darlene7847]

Okay Andrew Jackson then Trump, Polk 5th or 6th

[@BrandonHanson]

Thank you Mr. Beat for this video. Terrific research and more valuable history.

[@HeyPuppetHead]

He was surely a good president, or at least good enough to have a they might be giants song named after him, Mr. James K. Polk, our eleventh president.

[@K1NG_K0NG_2O24]

2:56 Both Polk and Jackson were called Young and Old Hickory and I heard that they are related I think yah I see that

[@JamesKPolk-bl7rz]

"Hello"

[@Old_Hickory_Jackson]

Hi

[@garygraffeo2353]

thank you for this post .

[@Mr._XStence]

The summer between my junior and senior year of high school, I wrote a list of all presidents from best to worst. James K. Polk made #13.

[@mandyinseattle]

James K Polk is my great great great great great grandfather, and my mom's maiden name was Knox :)

[@WDKimball]

My family has lived in Maine since the 17th century, and my 3X grandfather was US Marshall before the Great Rebellion. He was so opposed to Polk and his war in Mexico that it is still talked about in the family. "Why should we in Maine fight and pay for a war in Mexico and the annexation of Texas?' A question that has become more pertainant than ever before.

[@jamespace1965]

He's widely known as the hardest working president.

[@MichaelSidneyTimpson]

GenX-ers and before had a HUGE heralding of Polk when we took History class in High School. I remember him well being made a big hero (note, I grew up in California...) We also learned how "great" the Spanish-American war was, leaving out that thing in the end regarding the Phillippines.... So yeah, it used to be "taking over a bunch of land that isn't ours is so great!" to now, "oh, well...it was a different time."

[@Cybernaut551]

A flawed figure at best.

[@ingore9021]

I love how it just says "YAY" every time he wins a victory.

[@jeffreyhughesnc]

Hey Mr. Beat - I'd say Chester Arthur is very underrated too. Taking office after Garfield's assassination and reluctantly stepping up to the plate. The reason he was VP was to satisfy the Stalwarts wing of the GOP i.e. Senator Roscoe Conklin (NY). Arthur did a 180° (turning his back to the Stalwarts) and implemented many of Garfield's policies including Civil Service reform; which was a knife in the back of the Stalwarts and the Tammany Hall Democrats (all products of New York, I might add). By the way, I owe you a report regarding our trip to Iceland... haven't forgotten.

[@sambradley1968]

Arthur was a great President. 😊

[@gregoryf4186]

Arthur is in my top ten

[@johnsikes320]

Great video...very entertaining

[@CynicalHistorian]

*FOR THE HONOR OF THE SOUTHWEST!!!* (and post-revisionist historical advocacy)...I wouldn't judge Polk so easily. Lincoln/Buchanan used the same tactic that Polk did, but we don't consider them to be a bullies. It is a deceitful stratagem, sure, but a decisively effective one. Numerous wars have begun on such causation, most of which we consider to fit perfectly as a _jus bellum iustum_ by definition. Then again, I've lived in the Southwest my entire life, soooo.....yeah

[@iammrbeat]

Yeah I think Lincoln was a bully, too. :/

[@briansheehan3430]

Lincoln most certainly did not use deceptive Machiavellan stratagem. South Texas was considered disputed territory. Fort Sumter was not disputed, and was by all means a federal military battery in which the southern "confederate" secessionists had fired on, even though they had outnumbered the US troops stationed there 6,000 to 87, and could have easily occupied the fort peacefully to encourage more negotiation. Even so, southern Texas was only "disputed" because Santa Anna claimed his signing of the Treaty of Velasco was as a POW and not as a surrendering General. It was Mexican troops who crossed the Rio Grande, and General Taylor who had sent Captain Thornton to scout the area where he was ambushed. Polk didn't send Thornton into Mexico.

[@MrAdamNTProtester]

What isn't recognized is that mexico made ZERO effort to regulate & oversee these lands, the pioneers that lived there were constantly being harassed by outlaws & travelers passing through desperate & short of resources... there had to be a government of some recourse for the people & THERE WASN'T ONE... it is only after the US started to exercise authority in the region that Mexico decided that the land was there's... of course no one once again speaks of the Indians who inhabited the land yet also were seasonal nomadic types... So you can DECIDE your version of history but I am unabashed about celebrating the inclusion of all this territory into the US... the problem is the TREASON that has been established in the US not the expansion of its blessings to all people... we have stopped believing in GOD endowed RIGHTS of EVERY PERSON- there are NO special persons with special rights there are NO unspecial persons with NO or limited Rights... and we have forgotten about the CUSA limits on Gov't powers... REMEMBER that Slidell & the Mexicans could have negotiated in GOOD FAITH and reached a pragmatic solution amenable to all parties & maybe even brought a chief or two into the negotiations... instead Mexico believed Americans were weak... they paid a steep price in finding out that is NOT the case... decency is NOT weakness! It is a lesson our gov't police military & foreign countries have to be constantly reminded of... our goodness is NOT weakness... so stop testing that- or suffer the SAME results! people need to stop looking at history through WHINE colored glasses & realize the reality real people are experiencing. Polk is worthy to be counted amongst the greats. California is STILL the BEST state in the Union!

[@Rollin_L]

@@MrAdamNTProtester I agree with most of your post... until that last line, lol. As a CA native, I would have agreed with you up to about 20 years or so ago. Now, CA is as poorly run as Mexico itself, with the middle class getting killed, the lower economic class growing, and the wealthier class oblivious, apathetic and- for the moment- content. They have enough money and private security to remain unaffected for now... until the state collapses financially, which seems inevitable. If not for Silicon Valley and its tax revenues, I don't think CA could survive. But you are quite right about Mexico having no measurable presence north of the Rio Grande. And, as Brian Sheehan posted above, the "border disupute" arose simply from the tyrant Santa Anna being a deceitful, dishonest narcissist. There was not an agreement made that he ever intended to keep. I think Mexico should be damned grateful were were kind enough to let them have the land from Mexico City to the river. We could easily have kept it all, and we paid them for what we did keep, at a fair price for the time period.

[@neilpemberton5523]

@@iammrbeat Was Lincoln a bully, or did he draw a line and tell the South not to step over it? For the the best part of 3 decades after Jackson stared down Sth Carolina over Nullification the South was the bully, threatening secession at regular intervals if it didn't get its way. Southern Democrats got very used to having access to the President, because the Whig party only captured the White House twice in all those years. James M McPherson calls Lincoln's election the Revolution of 1860 because the North was finally ready to say enough is enough and wrest control of the national destiny, by destroying the effective southern veto over the future direction of the country. Stephen Douglas, the northern Democrat candidate for president, threw his full support behind Lincoln, so the North was more united and stronger than ever before in 1861 prior to the war. Southern secession was seen in the North as possibly the first step towards the break up of the Union into several Republics, especially as it was a minority response to a fair election result. The South was unashamedly arrogant, with its extremely rich planter class living high on the hog due to insanely high cotton yields tortured from slaves via the whip. As as well as their view of slaves as lesser beings, the South had a second racism against the 'yankee race', and when I read the Southern Fire Eaters' speeches I seriously wonder what planet they were on. In my view, the Fire Eaters were for the most part horrible people. Robert Barnwell Rhett was a particulary egregous schemer. The only one I have taken a liking to is Edmund Ruffin, a brilliant pioneering soil scientist and tough old cuss who lived his convictions totally honestly, treating his slaves humanely, and tragically shooting himself after the war rather than lie that it was not about slavery as so many other southerners did. But bottom line- southern rhetoric and self-serving politicking pissed off the North more and more until finally the North said 'no more'. I really get annoyed by Lost Causers playing the victim card when the real victims were the slaves. Lost Causers are the sort of people who remember everything and learn nothing. In any case, it can't be denied that Polk continued enabling the South's high and mighty view of itself, though I admit I did not realize the extent of his achievements in office.

[@johnweber4577]

I see James Polk as the Lyndon Johnson of the 19th Century in a lot of ways. Both were Democrats who was a protege to the defining figure of his era whose legacy they tried to live up to, Andrew Jackson and Franklin Roosevelt, that became president pretty much by chance. They got the country into a highly controversial war with contested origins, the Mexican-American War and Vietnam War, which each attempted to micromanage. Both governed at a time where the seams were really starting to show within their party’s coalition, particularly between the Northern and Southern wings, which ultimately led to major realignments. And despite being eligible, neither ran for an additional term which was still open to them.

[@flaviusaetius5701]

There's a difference between attempting something and actually fighting for something.

[@carinaslima]

James K. Polk Documentary 📄 James Knox Polk was a man, born in North Carolina in Pineville, 2 of November 1795, He was the 11th president of the United States, sucessor to John Tyler and precedent to Zachary Taylor. He is often considered as a mediocre, or good president. Less times as bad. He, was amongst few presidents, to fulfill all of his campaign promises while in office. He went to war with Mexico, in the Mexican-American War. He was president from 4 of March 1845 to 4 of March 1849. When his sucessor, Zachary Taylor was sworn in, taking the oth of office. He restored treasure of the United States, and diminuished tariffs at high extent. He was the 9th governor of the state of Tennessee, from 14 of October 1839 to 15 of October 1841. Preceded by James C. Jones, his sucessor was Newton Cannon. He was loyal to Family Friend Andrew Jackson, and, even agreed with Thomas Jefferson in some policies to the extent. He was a farmer, then a lawyer. He was a Democrat.

[@shelley6477]

You and Lin Manuel are currently working on “Polk, The Musical,” right?? It’d be awesome!

[@IS34PreteristForce]

It would be so cool if you made a video about John Tyler. His great-grandson William Bouknight Tyler oversees Sherwood Forest Plantation in Virginia.

[@ohmyblindman]

Would love to hear the reasons YT gives for demonetizing your content, and as for taking down, what could you have done?

[@brandonf24]

I grew up two blocks from that house in Columbia, TN which is also not far from the Galloway House, Nathan B. Forrest's friends' home and his HQ in town during the Civil War.

[@scottm8914]

That young hickory made me spit ice cream out my mouth 😂

[@reamrkj1125]

Sometimes jerks as presidents can get alot done foreign policy wise. One of the main digs against Buchannan was thats he was too nice, and tried to please everyone. By his accomplishments Polk should be top 5. I think the biggest issue is Americans love presidents they can quote, and ive never heard any quotes from Polk. Dude just worked and got stuff done.

[@hughgolub3673]

Before I even watch I agree with you. Polk did so much for the Us he’s so underrated

[@alanivar2752]

Like when he invaded Mexico and took their land?

[@thunderbird1921]

@@alanivar2752 Well, sort of true. He called for annexing Texas and expanding further west, which made war with Mexico all but certain at some point.

[@alanivar2752]

@@thunderbird1921 More like he tried to buy a bunch of Mexico from itself, they refused, so he personally ordered basically the entire American military to invade and just claim it for America anyway, starting a trend Latin America has gotten unfortunately accustomed to

[@kristalc2815]

Mr Beats that's messed up I am actually wearing a green shirt 😭😭 that tripped me out. But also thank you for your videos!! I love watching them whenever I can

[@melishamitchell1485]

Top 10 Most Underrated US Presidents: #10 - John Adams #9 - William J. Clinton #8 - Harry S. Truman #7 - William McKinley #6 - James E. Carter #5 - Richard M. Nixon #4 - Chester A. Arthur #3 William Henry Harrison #2 - Zachary Taylor #1 - James K. Polk

[@WarCrimeGaming]

Nah, Zachary Taylor was a bad president.

[@melishamitchell1485]

In that case, stick around for an edit

[@lamaripiazza5226]

My list 10. John Adams 9. Truman 8. Jimmy carter 7. Nixon 6. William McKinley 5. Zachary Taylor 4. Chester A author 3. Grover Cleveland 2. Calvin Coolidge 1. James K Polk

[@melishamitchell1485]

@@lamaripiazza5226 You mentioned Jimmy Carter twice

[@lamaripiazza5226]

@@melishamitchell1485 Oh shoot

[@joewhyler9328]

before watching the video: polk is a one-term president with one thing in his mind and policy: expanding the U.S.. Execution: impeccable

[@polandballofspace4226]

Yes! Finally. Polk was such a cool guy

[@iammrbeat]

A bit of an imperialist jerk, in my opinion, but one we should recognize for his great accomplishments for sure.

[@polandballofspace4226]

Mr. Beat Mhm. I agree

[@sdb7092]

On achievements alone hes defenitly a top 10 President, He accomplished more in 4 years than 90% of all other US Presidents in 8! 1. George Whasington 2. Abraham Lincon 3. Thomas Jefferson 4.Theodore Roosevelt 5. Franklin D. Roosevelt 6. James K. Polk 7. Harry S. Thruman 8. James Monroe 9. Dwight D. Eisenhower 10. Ronald Reagen Lastly, i dont care if he was a jerk to our enemies, The man was great for our country's future...and help set us up to become the eventual global power we became.

[@archivesoffantasy5560]

I’m English, but I’d say 1. Lincoln 2. Polk 3. Washington I’m also a big fan of Grant but understand he wasn’t the most politically shrewd. Though he did still have some notable feats as potus as well as being the saviour of the nation and emancipator through Union victory. I’d still put him top 10 presidents

[@yungpacket985]

10:50 Mr. Jackson I don’t feel so good

[@thecupheadfan1837]

Polk died after jackson did

[@robertpolityka8464]

Polk is one of my favorite Presidents. Here are a few things I remember reading about Polk: 1-The first (and only) Speaker of the House to be elected President. 2- The election of 1944, was the only election where 2 former Speaker's were the standard bearers. 3-Polk lucked out winning the Democratic Presidential Nomination because of the "two-thirds rule". (FORMER President Martin Van Buren won a simple majority of delegates on an earlier ballot.) Democrats repeated this feat in 1856 and 1912. In all three cases, The Democrats still won the White House, despite choosing "candidate candidates" as their Presidential Nominees. 4-Polk was originally seen as the "compromise candidate" for Vice President on a ticket headed by Van Buren. However, after the Ex-President failed to win the 2/3rds vote, Jackson used his influence to give Polk the nomination. 5-One reason Polk was such a hard worker, was that he acted as a micro-manager over all aspects concerning the Executive Branch and he rarely took a day off. For example, he ordered the Cabinet Secretaries to submit their Budgets directly to him, instead to the Congress. Actions like this, curtailed the powers of the Cabinet. Other actions, included patronage Appointments to positions such as Ambassadorships and jobs in the Post Office, went through the President, instead of the Cabinet. Secretary of State James Buchanan felt like his title was almost nominal. 6-Polk ordered the Cabinet, to committ, in writing, that none of them will not seek the Presidential Nomination in 1848. This would have The Secretaries focus more on matters of state, than on political ambition. (But Buchanan was a candidate anyway.. He probably had supporters act on his behalf.) 7-Polk's wife, Sarah lived until 1891. (This was the longest period a former First Lady served as a widow.) Polk's house was technically neutral ground during the Civil War.

[@augustbiernbaum4841]

When he was like, he was a sickly child, I was like “that’s me.” Then he said gallstones removed at 17, which I just did, as a 17 year old, on Wednesday

[@Aditya-sn4sr]

Hello, Future President Biernbaum

[@MrAdamNTProtester]

Did you forgo the anesthetics

[@coderedskyrim]

Wow I got the shock of my life when I found out that this is the beat goes on.

[@leedeville6935]

"If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor..." Barry O

[@thunderbird1921]

"We're not doing regime change in Iraq", "Jobs won't be lost to China", "We're not losing in Vietnam", the list of major broken promises by both parties goes back seemingly forever.

[@backyardscience4919]

I did a third grade project on Polk and I never had heard of him but was blown away when I found out

[@julius-stark]

Give Jimmy a break, he's a nightclub comedian not a historian. Great seeing him in the video though.

[@iammrbeat]

I actually really enjoy both Rogan and Jimmy.

[@luperamos7307]

@@iammrbeat Do you still enjoy Jimmy Dore? His show has changed quite a bit from 4 years ago and has a massive right wing following

[@RunstarHomer]

@@luperamos7307 How have Jimmy's views changed in the last 4-5 years? I don't really think that's true. He's always had a following on the right because he doesn't ignore corruption and dishonesty in the Dem party like a lot of left wing commentators do, but his criticisms of both parties are always from a left wing perspective.

[@bmjv77]

He rocked a sweet mullet. Definitely puts him in at least the top 10.

[@Filip-uw9jp]

Wow mr. Beast :)

[@iammrbeat]

Hey now!

[@observethemfdynamic]

When I first heard the Rogan bit, I IMMEDIATELY thought “Polk” which makes me feel like my US history teacher did a good job

[@mandaloretheinevitable]

Polk is definitely one of my favorite presidents.