Final Answer:
The battle cry for the disputed area between the United States and Great Britain was "Fifty Four Forty or Fight." This slogan encapsulated the American demand for the Oregon Territory to extend to the latitude line 54°40'N. Therefore, the correct answer is 1) Fifty Four Forty or Fight.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dispute over the Oregon Territory in the 19th century was primarily centered around the latitude line at which the border between the United States and British North America (Canada) would be drawn. The slogan "Fifty Four Forty or Fight" reflected the American push for the boundary to be set at 54°40'N. This was a bold and assertive stance by the United States, indicating a willingness to go to war with Britain if necessary to secure the desired territory.
During the 1844 U.S. presidential campaign, James K. Polk adopted this slogan to appeal to the expansionist sentiments of the American public. The phrase represents the northernmost boundary that the U.S. was claiming for the Oregon Territory. However, in the end, a diplomatic solution was reached. The Oregon Treaty of 1846 established the 49th parallel as the boundary between the United States and British North America, settling the dispute and avoiding armed conflict.
This compromise gave the United States possession of the southern part of the Oregon Territory up to the agreed-upon parallel, and it remains the present-day boundary between the U.S. and Canada in the region.
While "Fifty Four Forty or Fight" did not become a literal battle cry in war, it played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and highlighting the intensity of the territorial dispute. The eventual diplomatic resolution favored compromise, as both the U.S. and Britain recognized the benefits of avoiding a potentially costly military conflict.
Therefore, the correct answer is 1) Fifty Four Forty or Fight.