The “Fifty-four Forty” raises to a line of latitude, an
east-west running line marking a north-south border. This specific line was the
anticipated national boundary between the mounting United States’ Oregon territory
and Canada. During the 1844 presidential campaign, the Democratic Party declared
that the US could claim all land in the Oregon Country north to the 54-40 line
or parallel. The British disputed claims north of the 42nd parallel.
54-40 or fight turn out to be the slogan of the expansionists. Subsequent to the
election, Democratic Pres. James Polk finally led the US to decide to a concession
border at the 49th parallel where the northern boundary survives.
It summarized the ambition of President James Polk, who demanded the British cede to the US rights to all land in the Pacific Northwest south of the 54th parallel.
It summarized the position of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, who threatened armed resistance unless US expansion past the 54th parallel ceased.
It summarized the position of the British government, who threatened war unless the United States ceded all lands in the Pacific Northwest south of the 54th parallel.
It summarized the position of aggressive expansionists, who wanted the US to acquire all of the land in the Pacific Northwest south of the 54th parallel.
