Treaty of Ghent

About

The Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814, in Ghent, Belgium, marked the end of the War of 1812 between the United States and the United Kingdom. This bilateral peace treaty restored relations to the status quo ante bellum, effectively returning all captured territories to their pre-war owners. The negotiations involved key figures such as John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and Albert Gallatin for the U.S., and Lord Gambier, Henry Goulburn, and William Adams for Britain. Despite the treaty's signing, news of its ratification was slow to reach the Americas, leading to the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815. The treaty took effect on February 17, 1815, after unanimous ratification by the U.S. Senate. It laid the groundwork for over two centuries of peaceful relations between the U.S. and the U.K., despite minor tensions. Both nations agreed to work towards ending the slave trade, though Britain later compensated the U.S. for freed slaves. The treaty also established commissions to resolve border disputes and fishing rights. While it did not address all U.S. war aims, such as impressment, it marked a significant shift in U.S.-British relations, solidifying American sovereignty and setting the stage for future diplomatic engagements.