"54° 40' or fight!"

Definition

This was a slogan used during the Oregon boundary dispute between U.S. and Britain, expressing the sentiment that U.S. should control all of Oregon territory up to latitude 54°40′.

Related terms

Oregon Treaty: This treaty resolved the Oregon boundary dispute by setting the border at 49th parallel.

Manifest Destiny: Again, this belief in American expansion played into sentiments expressed in slogans like "54° 40' or fight!"

Polk's Presidency: James K. Polk’s presidency saw heightened tensions around territorial disputes such as these.