Historical Context
The Treaty of Ghent, signed in the city of Ghent, Belgium, ended the War of 1812 between the United States and the United Kingdom. Relations were restored to "status quo ante bellum", the situation which exited before the war, which mean there were no boundary changes.
Although signed into law on the British side on the 30th December, news of the treaty took a month to reach the US. Two major battles were fought during this period, the Battle of New Orleans won by America and the Second Battle of Fort Bowyer won by the British. The US ratified the treaty in February of 1815 under President James Madison.
Painting Info
Artist: Amédée Forestier
Location painted: Ghent, Belgium
Source: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C.
Related Events
- 1814-12-24 Treaty of Ghent signed, ending the War of 1812 between the United States, the United Kingdom and their allies
- 1815-02-17 Treaty of Ghent ratified by the US Senate and signed by President James Madison ending War of 1812, over a month after it was signed in Europe
