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 nice map of the young United States showing the Oregon border between the US and Canada reflecting US interests. The states are confined east of the Mississippi River, and Native American Indian tribes are noted throughout. Only a few cities are identified and there is no mention of Texas in the Southwest. Alaska is still coming into shape and labeled Russian Territory.

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Condition: B+

A crisp impression with light toning and remnants of hinge tape on verso.