The Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain, signed on December 24, 1814. The treaty effectively restored the status quo ante bellum, meaning that the territorial boundaries and conditions that existed before the war were reinstated, without addressing the causes of the conflict such as impressment and trade restrictions. The treaty was important as it helped foster a sense of national unity and identity in the U.S. Despite ongoing tensions, the resolution of the war and the treaty paved the way for improved relations between the U.S. and Britain in the years to come.