USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations attributes the slogan to William Allen. 54°40′ was the southern boundary of Russian America and considered the northernmost limit of the Pacific Northwest.

Detailed explanation-2: -Polk called for expansion that included Texas, California, and the entire Oregon territory. The northern boundary of Oregon was the latitude line of 54 degrees, 40 minutes. “Fifty-four forty or fight!” was the popular slogan that led Polk to victory against all odds.

Detailed explanation-3: -The chief issues of the campaign were the annexation of Texas and the occupation of Oregon. Polk took a strong stand in favor of both. With a campaign slogan of “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight, ” referring to the northern boundary of the Oregon territory, Polk rode into the White House.

Detailed explanation-4: -This expansionist design was expressed by Polk’s famous campaign slogan, “Fifty-four Forty or Fight!” The slogan also became a rally cry of settlers into the territory. The popular phrase was picked up from Sen. William Allen of Ohio, who coined the expression in an 1844 speech on the Senate floor.