Acquisition of Oregon Territory
Americans started going to Oregon Territory after the War of 1812 and they shared the territory with the British, Spanish and Russians. America wanted to claim this territory for themselves as part of the expansion of Manifest Destiny. And when President Polk was elected in 1844 there was pressure to get Oregon Territory because Polk wanted to expand. But the British also wanted this land. President Polk didn't want to go to war to get the British out of Oregon. He kind of lied his way into getting the land. And that's where the saying "“Fifty-Four, Forty or Fight” (line of latitude at the northern end of the Oregon Territory) originated. The Americans said that to The British. The British wanted to compromise and said draw a line on the 49th parallel but President Polk didn't agree. Polk 'bluffed' at war and he got the land he wanted.
Key Points
- Became part of the U.S June 15, 1846
- James K. Polk was the president at the time
- The British negotiators rejected the idea of the 49th parallel the first time
- British didn't want to ruin their economic relationship with the U.S
- The U.S was at war with Mexico in 1846 and then the British signed the Oregon Treaty setting the boundary of the 49th parallel
- Oregon was originally claimed by Spain, Russia, Britain, and the United States
- In 1818 the U.S. and the British agreed on a joint occupation and this lasted till 1846
- Americans started to settle there in 1830
- Oregon had very rich soil which caused many families to move down the Oregon Trail
- Many people were apposed to the Acquisition of Oregon but Polk moved along with the plan anyways
- Negotiations between the British and the U.S. started in Summer of 1845
- After the argument between the U.S. and The British the line was set at the 49th parallel in June 1846