The United States and Great Britain established in 1818 joint claim over the Oregon Territory - the region north of Spanish controlled Upper California up to the southern boundary of Russia's Alaska Territory at North latitude 54°40'. By the late 1830's this arrangement was beginning to fall apart. In the 1840's the expansionist Democrats, including their 1844 presidential candidate, James Polk, claimed the entire region for the United States. Their expansionist desires were expressed by Polk's famous campaign slogan, "Fifty-four Forty or Fight!" The slogan also became a rally cry for Americans desiring to settle the territory. Following Polk's election, the dispute was resolved by the 1846 Treaty of Oregon, which struck a compromise that fixed the U.S./Canadian boundary at 49º North.

A. Nord-America, by C.G. Reichard, dated 1823 (13.5 x 11"). This interesting map is a revision of Reichard's map of 1818. It shows the United States with its claim into present-day British Columbia, Mexico in control of the Southwest, and Russia possessing Alaska. In the West are the large territories of Oregon, Missouri, North-West, and Arkansas. The state of new Missouri is delineated. A large inset details the Northwest coast with the discoveries of Vancouver. Condition: Original outline color with some minute foxing along centerfold that does not distract. Also foxing in blank margins.

B. Nord America, by F. Stulpnagel, dated 1835 (15 x 11.5"). A very detailed German map of the continent is a revision of the 1832 map and is filled with interesting features and early western territorial development in the United States. The large Oregon Territory is shown jointly occupied by Britain and the U.S. The plains region is occupied by several Indian Districts. Arkansas is shown with its final western boundary. The Hawaiian Islands, here called the Sandwich Islands, are also depicted. Condition: Original outline color with a few faint spots in map image that do not distract.

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Condition: B+

See description.