Editing George Bancroft (section)

===Secretary of the Navy===
In 1845, in recognition for his support at the previous Democratic convention, Bancroft was appointed to [[James Polk]]'s cabinet as [[United States Secretary of the Navy|Secretary of the Navy]], serving until 1846, when, for a month, he was acting [[United States Secretary of War|Secretary of War]].

During his short period in the cabinet, Bancroft established the [[United States Naval Academy]] at [[Annapolis]], creating a legacy of education and leadership.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.history.navy.mil/bios/bancroft_george.htm|title= George Bancroft Secretary of the Navy 1800–1891|publisher= Naval History and Heritage Command|access-date= December 10, 2013|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131002001011/http://www.history.navy.mil/bios/bancroft_george.htm|archive-date= October 2, 2013|df= mdy-all}}</ref> He ordered naval action that resulted in the occupation of California and, as secretary of War, sent [[Zachary Taylor]] into the contested land between Texas and Mexico. That catalyzed the [[Mexican–American War|Mexican War]], resulting in the United States greatly increasing its territory in the Southwest.

Bancroft designed and developed the Naval Academy; he received all the appropriations for which he asked. Congress had never been willing to establish a naval academy, but Bancroft studied the law to assess the powers of the Secretary of the Navy. He found that he could order "a place where midshipmen should wait for orders." He could also direct instructors to give lessons to them at sea, and by law, instructors could follow the midshipmen to the place of their common residence on shore. The appropriation of the year for the naval service met the expense, and the Secretary of War ceded an abandoned military post to the navy.

Therefore, when Congress came together, it learned that the midshipmen not at sea were housed at Annapolis. Thus, they were protected from the dangers of idleness and city life and busy at a regular course of study. Congress accepted the school, which was in full operation, and granted money for the repairs of the buildings.

Bancroft introduced some new respected professors into the corps of instructors, and he suggested a system of promotion, related to experience and achievements as well as age. The merit system was not fully developed or applied at the time. Bancroft was influential also in obtaining additional appropriations for the [[United States Naval Observatory]].