Fifty-Four Forty or Fight

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight, slogan used by U.S. extremists in the controversy with Great Britain over the Oregon country. Through an 1818 treaty, both the United States and England had rights to occupy the Oregon country set between 42° and 54°40' north latitude. The slogan was used by James Polk in his 1844 presidential campaign to convey his ambition to acquire the whole area. In 1846 the boundary was set at 49°, giving the United States land south of the line and Britain land to the north.