I’ll Polk Your Eye Out Moving West Part 4

Both the United States and Britain claimed the Oregon Territory Both the United States and Britain claimed the Oregon Territory. In 1844, James K. Polk, the Democratic presidential candidate, called for the entire Oregon Territory to be part of the United States.

James K. Polk’s campaign slogan was “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight James K. Polk’s campaign slogan was “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!” This referred to the northern limit of the Oregon territory – the latitude 54°40’.

He was basically saying that if the British didn’t agree to that , that we should fight with them.

Britain was interested in the Oregon Territory mainly for its many beaver furs. Eventually, beaver hats went out of style.

As a result, the British lost interest in the Oregon Territory As a result, the British lost interest in the Oregon Territory. The United States claimed the region as theirs.

This established the current border between the United States and Canada.