Treaty of Ghent

Ghent, Treaty of, treaty concluded on Dec. 24, 1814, in Ghent, Belgium, formally ending the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States. Because the war had developed into a military stalemate, the treaty was essentially a return to prewar status. No concession was made over the impressment of former British citizens from U.S. ships, a major U.S. grievance, but the resulting British withdrawal from interference in the affairs of the American Northwest opened the frontier to westward expansion.

See also: War of 1812.