Status quo ante bellum

Encyclopedia : S : ST : STA : Status quo ante bellum

The term status quo ante bellum comes from Latin meaning literally, as things were before the war. The term was originally used in treaties to refer to the withdrawal of enemy troops and the restoration of prewar leadership. When used as such, it means that no side gains or loses territory or economic and political rights. This contrasts with uti possidetis, where each side retains whatever territory and other property it holds at the end of the war.

One example of a war that ended status quo ante bellum was the War of 1812, which was concluded with the Treaty of Ghent in 1814. During negotiations, British diplomats had suggested ending the war uti possidetis, but the final treaty left neither gains nor losses in land for the United States and the United Kingdom's Canadian colonies. Also, the War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748) concluded status quo ante bellum. Austria survived and only had to sacrifice the area of Silesia.

The term has been generalized to form the phrase status quo and status quo ante. Outside this context, the term antebellum is usually associated with the period before the American Civil War.

Status quo ante bellum

See also