2016-12-24 Sat

Today the treaty of Ghent was signed to end the War of 1812 between British and American representatives at Ghent, Belgium.

The United States declared war against Great Britain on June 1812. It was a reflex reaction to the three issues: the British royal navy impressing neutral American seamen against their will, the support of British to the Indian tribe at the Great lakes frontier and the British economic blockade of France. A small part of the U.S. congressmen hoped that this war with Britain will benefit in territorial gains of Canada and British protected Florida.

At that time British army was busy struggling against Napoleonic France, so in coming months American forces launched three side invasions of Canada but however only the sea invasion was successful. American tropes gained control over the sea and the area of the Great lakes region.

In 1814 British relocated more military to American war after the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte. British burned down the White house when Washington D.C fell to Britain, they retreated and the fort Mchenry received massive British bombardment.

But the tide of the war changed when American naval forces won at the Battle of Plattsburg in New York. Due to this event, a peace negotiation in Belgium was proposed and after months of negotiations, it was signed on 24th December 1814.

This treaty didn’t cover the key issues that started the war but it did open the region of Great lakes for America. It was hailed as a diplomatic treaty; neither party lost or gained anything.

To mark and celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Treaty of Ghent a stamp was issued by Belgium on 16th May 1964.