The War of 1812: Another American Victory

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Part 5: The Final Peace and the Final Battle

Peace talks had begun in August 1814, while fighting was still going on. The American victories at Plattsburg and Baltimore convinced Britain to settle for peace. On Christmas Eve, 1814, both sides signed the Treaty of Ghent, officially ending the war.

But the war didn't end. Communication was slow back then. Word of the signing of the peace treaty didn't reach America until weeks later, after the "official" last battle of the war had been fought.

American troops under Andrew Jackson had taken control of Native American possessions in the South and had marched to New Orleans, to protect that vital seaport from British troops. The two sides clashed on January 8, 1815. The Battle of New Orleans ended in an American victory, with 2,000 British troops dead compared to 13 Americans.

The Treaty of Ghent ended the fighting, but it didn't solve any of the other problems that had driven the two sides to war in the first place. However, the United States had cemented its reputation as a powerful nation and a major player on the world stage.

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