President James K. Polk's expansionist policies in the Oregon Territory culminated in the Oregon Treaty of 1846, which peacefully resolved the border dispute between the United States and Britain. The treaty established the 49th parallel as the boundary between U.S. and British territories, allowing the U.S. to gain control of present-day Oregon, Washington, and parts of Idaho and Montana. This outcome fulfilled Polk's campaign promise of "54°40' or Fight," demonstrating his commitment to westward expansion while avoiding military conflict. Ultimately, it contributed to the broader narrative of Manifest Destiny in the 19th century.
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