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James K. Polk is among the 3 most consequential presidents of the 19th century— he accomplished everything he had set out to do as president and made good on all of his campaign promises in just 1 term. Following our victory in the Mexican-American war, he strong-armed Mexico into giving to the U.S. a tremendous amount of territory that now makes up more than 30% of the lower 48. Should he have went further and taken Cuba, Baja California, the Yucatán and much of northern Mexico? Before answering, keep in mind that a great deal of northern Mexico, Baja California and Cuba is composed primarily of those with purely or majority European ancestry. Should he have pushed for this territory? Or had he already shot us in the foot as a nation by incorporating the territory of a Spanish-speaking country, and thus their inhabitants, into our nation?