Home > Facts > US Government Facts > Treaty of Ghent Facts

Treaty of Ghent Facts

Treaty of Ghent Facts
The Treaty of Ghent was a political treaty signed by the leaders of the United States and the United Kingdom (Great Britain) on December 24, 1814 in Ghent, Belgium that ended the War of 1812. The War of 1812 was not very popular with either the Americans or the British, as it hurt trade and commerce, so ending it was politically favorable in both countries. Although the Treaty of Ghent officially ended the war, due to the slow pace of early nineteenth century communications word of it did not reach the United States for more than month. Because of that lag, the most famous battle of the War of 1812, the Battle of New Orleans (January 8, 1815), was fought after the treaty was signed.
Interesting Treaty of Ghent Facts:
Ghent had been ruled by the Hapsburg Dynasty in Vienna, but became part of the Netherlands after the Napoleonic Wars.
The War of 1812 was a theater of the Napoleonic Wars. Although the United States remained officially neutral in the Napoleonic Wars, it continued to trade with France. The British responded by impressing American ships and sailors, which led to the War of 1812.
George III was the King of Britain when the treaty was signed, although the British signatory was his son and future king, George IV.
The British Prime Minister at the time was Robert Jenkinson, the Earl of Liverpool.
James Madison was the American President at the time and future president James Monroe was the Secretary of State. The American negotiating team was lead by future president John Q. Adams.
The negotiations began in 1814. Ghent was chosen as a location because it was a neutral city.
Although the Americans sent some of their top officials, most of the British negotiators were relatively minor in importance. The British also rebuffed Russian entreaties to act as an intermediary, perhaps demonstrating that they were not as serious as the Americans were.
The final treaty set the boundaries between the United States and British North America (Canada) back to what they were before the war.
The United States Senate did not ratify the treat until February 17, 1815.
Although Britain agreed to return all American owned slaves taken during the war, it instead later paid more than $1 million to the U.S. Many historians consider it the first major step toward the end of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Many Americans considered the Treaty of Ghent to be an affirmation of the Declaration of Independence. Although the British did not send their best nor the majority of their forces to America during the War of 1812, the Americans requited themselves well enough to force a political draw, which to many was a true victory.
The Northwest Indian Confederation, which was allied with the British in the War of 1812, was the biggest loser in the Treaty of Ghent. The British made a lackluster effort to negotiate for an Indian buffer state, but when the American diplomats flatly refused, they quickly gave up on the idea.


Related Links:
Facts
US Government Facts
Animals Facts