This Day in the Law
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December 24

Treaty of Ghent Signed Ending War of 1812 (1814)


On December 24, 1814, the United States and Great Britain and Ireland signed the Treaty of Ghent to end the War of 1812.

After the American Revolution in 1783, Britain continued to harass the United States by failing to withdraw troops from American territory along the Great Lakes region. The British also backed Native American Indians in their fight against the U.S. and refused to cooperate with the U.S. on any meaningful trade agreements. These issues, among others, led to the War of 1812.

The War of 1812 lasted approximately two years and resulted in no real winner. As such, the War of 1812 is regarded by many as one of the United States’ forgotten wars. However, the United States did reaffirm American independence from Britain by fighting off the British as it had done in the American Revolution. Because of this the War of 1812 is sometimes referred to as “second American revolution.”

After the U.S. and Britain realized that the war was coming to an end, both countries sent diplomats to meet, discuss, and sign a treaty to end the war. U.S. President James Madison sent John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and Albert Gallatin as representatives on behalf of the U.S.

On this day, December 24, 1814, the United States and Great Britain and Ireland signed the Treaty of Ghent in Ghent, Netherlands (present-day Belgium) to officially end the War of 1812. The treaty essentially restored the two countries back to status quo prior to the war. In short, the treaty ended hostile action, required that prisoners of war be returned, and created a commission to review boundary disputes between the two countries.

The British also reneged on their promise to the Native American Indians that they fought with during the war. The British originally told the Indians that they would reward them with their own land for fighting with them. However, after the war, Britain told the Indians they could have all the rights they had prior to the war – which didn’t amount to much meaningful change for the Indians.

INTERESTING NOTE: The news of the Treaty took several weeks to reach America due to the slow speed of communication. As such, the U.S. and Britain fought the Battle of New Orleans after the treaty was signed. The U.S. won the battle led by future present-to-be Andrew Jackson.