ID: Treaty of Ghent
WHEN: December 24, 1814
WHO:
- United States represented by John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and Albert Gallatin.
- Great Britain
WHAT:
The Treaty of Ghent was signed in Ghent, Belgium, ending the War of 1812.
IMPACT? Why Significant?:
- Return to Status Quo Ante Bellum: The treaty essentially restored pre-war boundaries and did not address the original causes of the conflict, such as impressment or neutral trading rights.
- Preserved American Independence: Despite not achieving all of its war aims, the treaty solidified the United States’ independence and prevented British attempts to reclaim territory.
- Fueled Nationalism: The war’s outcome, despite the treaty’s terms, fostered a sense of American national pride and unity, contributing to the Era of Good Feelings.
- Shifted Focus Westward: With the British threat in the east diminished, the United States was free to expand westward, leading to increased conflict with Native American tribes.