The United States, with the Mexican War…

The United States, with the Mexican War under way, chooses not to open hostilities with Britain over the demand that the southern boundary of western Canada be fixed at 54°40’ N.

Rival British and U.S. claims to the Oregon country—Britain prefers a Columbia River boundary; America’s political slogan is “Fifty-four forty or fight”—end in compromise.

Britain agrees in 1846 to the setting of the 49th parallel as the boundary between Canada and the United States, with the proviso that Britain retains all of Vancouver Island.

The Hudson’s Bay Company deeds the Oregon Territory to the United States.