changed. with greater upheaval on the horizon, when james pope becomes president. >> i shall assert the right that that portion of our territory, which lies beyond the rocky mountains. >> the president had a vision of what america should look like. he wanted all of it and he vowed that he would get it all either by purchasing or by war within one term. >> president polk's agenda is controversial but well-received by business interests both north and south. >> this is the execution of president jefferson's concept that america is destined to spread from coast to coast. it's a big idea and for those doing it, a dangerous one. 50 years later, it will earn the political term manifest destiny.