54º40' or fight
The phrase
54º40' or fight refers to the demands of Western settlers, and a campaign slogan of
1844 candidate for
President of the United States (and eventual winner)
James Polk for Britain to surrender the entire Oregon territory or have a war. The territory that was disputed went as far north as 54º40' , which is today in
British Columbia (and the southern boundary of
Alaska). An agreement between the
United States and
Great Britain was reached (the
1846 Treaty of Oregon) extending the border along the 49º parallel, significantly south of the area sought. The United States avoided war with Britain since it was already at war with Mexico.