The War of 1812 was officially concluded by the Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814. The treaty effectively restored the status quo ante bellum, meaning that all territorial gains made during the conflict were relinquished, and both sides returned to pre-war boundaries. Although the treaty did not address many underlying issues such as maritime rights and trade restrictions that had contributed to the war, it symbolized a diplomatic resolution and helped to improve U.S.-British relations. The Treaty of Ghent is often credited with setting the stage for a long-lasting peace between the United States and Great Britain.