Polk campaigned under the popular slogan 5440 or fight, a contention that the southern boundary of russian america was the northern. The title references the expansion of the united states that president james k. Polk, became a big promoter of manifest destiny as he ran on a platform of taking control over the entire oregon territory, as well as texas and california. Universal history archiveuniversal images groupgetty images the phrase 54 40 or fight was a slogan created by democratic nominee james k. The united states ownership of the oregon territory. Both nations retreated to positions they had held in 1827. Polk include the oregon territory as well as texas in his land expansion policy. The territory consisted of present day washington, oregon, idaho, and british columbia. Oregon country divided with great britain britain got british columbia contained states of washington, oregon, and part of idaho oregon trail helped people settle there. Were the line of latitude, that marked the northern border between oregon territory to russian alaska. Oregon treaty 1846 origins of the ideology of manifest. The next two books in the trilogy are purchase price and john rawn. The slogan 54 40 or fight referred to what event answers.
Oregon territory history fiction 54 40 or fight indianapolis, in. The threat of war with great britain would have loomed. Barry martin a history of the joint occupation of the oregon territory, where a conflict of interests between british fur traders and american settlers, missionaries, and trappers ended in a peaceful compromise. Although some pushed for total annexation of mexico, even polk, the great expansionist, had his reservations. The united states had embarked on a grand scheme of territorial growth. Significance of the oregon territory conflict synonym. Get an answer for what was the conflict surrounding oregon territory. Oregon trail over 2000 mile trail across america a common rout to oregon during the early 1840s. Territory between the 49th latitude and the 54 40 line was joint controlled.
He tapped into the public mood and realized that manifest destiny was the very issue that could lead him to victory. Westward expansion abolitionism in the united states texas. Oregon fever spurred by the promise of free land joint britishus occupation ended in 1846 a mandate. The map below shows how the land ended up after the treaty of oregon. Oregon territory oregon stretched from the north tip of california to the 54 40 line. The oregon treaty split this land along the line of. Proceeds benefit nonprofit outreach to women and children in crisis. His body of work eventually included 27 novels and hundreds of short stories and articles. Nativismamerican party knownothings gadsden purchase key people. Polk called for expansion that included texas, california, and the entire oregon territory. The emigrants guide to oregon and california cincinnati.
The green area under the britishamerica boundary became the major disputed area with the coined term 54 40 or fight by the u. In the election of 1844, polk used this statement as a campaign slogan, implying that he would declare war if britain did not give the united states al the oregon territory up to its northern boundary, the line in the slogan. Houghs early works included the singing mouse stories, for children, and the nonfiction the story of the cowboy. Study ap us history unit 6 flashcards at proprofs war of texas independ. Raymonds civics and social studies academy recommended for you. Polk moves the texas border south to the rio grande 150 miles south of the original border. The northern boundary of oregon was the latitude line of 54 degrees, 40. The 54 40 or fight block is a traditional star pattern with a political name that dates back to the 1844 presidential election, concerning a dispute over the oregon territory. Interpret the oregon territory dispute and the significance of the 54 40 or fight slogan describe the tactics used by president polk and the british during negotiations recall the outcome of the. The oregon territory was remote, barely explored and sparsely inhabited by europeans. Fifty four forty or fight shirt james k polk tshirt.
The oregon countrycolumbia district stretched from 42n to 54 40. He used the famous campaign slogan fiftyfour forty or fight. Nonexpansionist whigs had ridiculed the absurdity of going to war with both mexico and great britain by saying that the expansionist war hawks stand was summed up in the expression 54 40 or fight. The oregon territory dispute seems to have faded into relative obscurity in american history. Test your knowledge of the 5440 or fight slogan and the dispute over the oregon territory with this quiz and worksheet. The us and britain were squabbling over the oregon territory. The 1844 democratic presidential candidate, james k. Which nation did the us fight over a dispute of the texas.
By the end of 1845, according to merk, the oregon question had relapsed into a dangerous state of diplomatic deadlock, a situation that required attention at. What was the conflict surrounding oregon territory. The brady bunch 5440 and fight tv episode 1970 imdb. The story of the oregon territory, hardcover june, 1967 by young, bob, author. We have new and used copies available, in 0 edition starting at. End the dispute with great britain over the oregon territory 2. Americans similarly claimed the area, owing to its proximity to their own country. The oregon territory, 1846 office of the historian.
By using two quilt blocks, sue gives the illusion of curves as this graceful pattern glides together to form the lovely tennessee waltz quilt. In the election of 1844, polk used this statement as a campaign slogan, implying. Americans had been traveling to and settling in the oregon territory what is now present day oregon, washington, idaho, and british columbia since at least the 1830s. Settlers squabbled over the portion of land for several years without any resolution. For all that, women are still objects to be won by men elisabeth, or if they act. This slogan also showed the british that the united states was prepared for war if they did not turn over all of oregon. The official website of the oregon secretary of state. At first the british refused, leading polk back to the slogan 5440 or fight.
Negotiation occurred, and the countries divided oregon at the 49th parallel. The northern boundary of oregon was the latitude line of 54 degrees, 40 minutes. Oregon treaty 1846 origins of the ideology of manifest destiny. You will be quizzed on the parties involved in the dispute and the treaties. If they did not turn over all of oregon, fiftyfour forty or fight would have included all of presentday british columbia, up to the tip of alaska, or russian america. Polk gained political benefit from the 54 40 or fight. The title comes from the rallying cry from the era of the oregon territory dispute in the early 19th century to claim territory farther into canada. The expansion was to include texas, california, and the oregon territory.
Polk wanted tdo also aquire californianew mexico region. Looking for 5440 or fight find out information about 5440 or fight slogan alluding to disputed borders of oregon territory under joint british and u. President james polk, a supporter of manifest destiny with an eye also on the mexican southwest and california, was eager to settle the boundary of the oregon territory and proposed a settlement on the 49 degree line to great britain. Houghs literary career grew out of his taking camping trips and writing about them for publication. Mexican american war, oregon territory dispute, california gold rush duration. Bravado over caution usually wins elections so polk made a strong stand on oregon. Some extremists chanted 54 40 or fight, demanding that u. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Polk in an attempt to rally the public in support of removing control of portions of the united states, including texas, california and oregon, from the british. Polk was elected president with the slogan 54 40 or fight. It referred to the boundary line between the us and canada in the pacific northwest. See also whats at your library, or elsewhere broader terms. Despite this pressure, in the oregon treaty of june 15, 1846, the united states agreed to the 49th parallel, which established national boundaries westward of the rocky mountains.