In the 1840's the boundary dispute over Oregon between Britain and the United States threatened to come to a head. Expansionist sentiment, along with the call of "Manifest Destiny" (as well as some Northern distrust of the Southern-born Polk's agenda) fueled a growing clamor for war. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and the US would soon be devoting its resources to the Mexican War.
But what if Polk had given in to the expansionists? Would the British, despite an early show of tough talk, have really been willing to fight? What would have happened in Upper Canada, which in OTL was upset over Britain not looking after their interests and sought greater autonomy?
And what of Mexico? If the war dragged on, the US would have found itself facing a two-front war-and Polk might well have had to face growing Northern resentment as a result. It might well have ended in a political disaster for him, if not in an outright military defeat on American soil.
Thoughts and comments?