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How was the Oregon dispute settled during James K. Polk's presidency?
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The Oregon dispute was settled during James K. Polk's presidency through peaceful negotiations between the United States and Britain. Although both countries had jointly occupied the Oregon Country since the Treaty of 1818, increased American settlement in the 1840s prompted the need for a resolution. The 1846 treaty established the 49th parallel as the boundary, with all of Vancouver Island remaining under British control, thereby averting potential conflict.
The dispute over the control of Oregon was one that pitted the Americans against the British. The two countries had jointly occupied what was then called the Oregon Country since the Treaty of 1818. That treaty had set boundaries between the US and what is now Canada, but had not settled the issue of who would control Oregon.
By the 1840s, more Americans were coming into the territory and the US wanted the area for itself. While there was some degree of desire to fight the British on the part of some Americans, neither the British nor the American governments had any real desire to fight. Therefore, the two countries entered negotiations on the issue. What they finally agreed upon was that the border should follow the 49th parallel with the exception of Vancouver Island. All of that island was to belong to Britain.
So, the dispute over the Oregon Country was settled in 1846 by the peaceful negotiation of a treaty between the US and Britain.
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