The Treaty of Ghent, signed in 1814, was significant because it officially ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. The treaty restored territorial boundaries to what they had been before the war, without addressing the issues that had caused the conflict, such as maritime rights and impressment of American sailors. However, it helped foster a sense of nationalism and unity in the U.S. by allowing for economic growth and contributing to political harmony after the contentious war years. This treaty helped lay the groundwork for improved Anglo-American relations in the subsequent decades.