Final answer:
James Polk's four-point program centered on aggressive territorial expansion, including the successful acquisition of the Oregon Territory and California, but offers inconclusive results on reducing tariffs and a moderate effect on promoting internal improvements.
Step-by-step explanation:
James K. Polk's Four-Point Program
President James K. Polk was a significant figure in American expansionism. His four-point program focused on the territorial growth of the United States, and he was largely successful in achieving these goals. Here's an assessment of each part of Polk's program:
- Expansion of the Oregon Territory: Polk negotiated with Great Britain and agreed to establish the boundary along the 49th parallel. This resulted in the acquisition of the land that would later become Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. This part of his program was mostly successful.
- Reducing tariffs: This goal is not widely documented as part of his presidency, and the provided context does not give details on the success or failure in this area, rendering this point inconclusive.
- Acquiring California: After unsuccessful attempts to purchase the region, Polk provoked a war with Mexico to seize California. Through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Polk successfully acquired California and additional southwest territory, marking this objective highly successful.
- Promoting internal improvements: This objective was not a primary focus of Polk's administration, which prioritized territorial expansion. However, internal improvements did continue during his term, albeit with no specific initiatives directly attributed to him, making this moderately successful.
President Polk's tenure is widely recognized for his aggressive pursuit of territorial expansion rather than internal policy reforms, such as tariff reduction or internal improvements.