Treaty of Paris 1763

On the 10th of February 1763, Britain, France and Spain signed a treaty which ended the Seven Years' War. This Treaty was termed as the Treaty of Paris 1763 and it marked the beginning of the spread of British colonies, across and beyond Europe.

Besides this treaty, there was also the Treaty of Hubertusburg which was signed by Austria and Prussia and this treaty also played an important role in ending the long drawn Seven Years' War. Would you like to know what was the Treaty, what were its various terms, and also what did it signify, then given below is some information about it.

The Seven Years' War, was a major war that was fought in the mid 18th century (1756 - 1763). It was a war fought between some of the major powers (Great Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, Prussia and Austria, were some of the major powers) of that time, and this war had a major impact on nearly half of the world;

Europe, North and Central America, India, Philippines, and the Western coast of Africa. The Seven Years' War, is known by various names in different parts of the world; the French and Indian War in America, Third Carnatic War in India, Pomeranian War in Sweden and the Third Silesian War in Germany and Austria.

The main reason behind the war, was the overlapping of colonial interest of France and Great Britain and their allies. The war ended with the victorious Britain signing the treaty. The terms and conditions of this treaty favored the British, but was harsh to the losing side; France.

There was exchange of territories between Britain, France and Spain; while some lands were given up to the victorious side, some, the defeated nations were allowed to keep.

The Treaty of 1763 played a major role in American history, as well as European history; it led to the defeat of France, a major threat to the Americans and it also allowed Britain to take control of America which the latter did not appreciate.

After the signing of the treaty, there was an exchange of lands between the victorious nations and the defeated nations, while some lands were given back to the original 'owners'. Given below are the various terms of the treaty. You can read more about the Proclamation of 1763 for more information.

Before the treaty was signed, France had taken over Minorca and some of the British trading ports in Sumatra. They also controlled some parts of North America and Canada, which were located to the east of the Mississippi river, Bengal in India, Senegal in Africa and also had its army in some states in Germany.

After the treaty was signed, according to the various terms of the treaty, France had to give up certain lands while they were allowed to retain few lands too. The parts of Canada and North America (eastern side of the Mississippi river), had to be given up to Britain, except for New Orleans.

They were allowed to keep the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon which were located in North America, but they had to give up Grenada and Senegal to Great Britain.

They were also allowed to retain some parts of India and some of the Indian factories, but their control over Bengal was lost to the British. They also had to withdraw their army from the various German states.

After the signing of the Treaty, Great Britain was the one who gained the most. From France they received Canada and from Spain they received Florida. They also took over the control of Bengal from France and several other parts of India too. They gave up Cuba and Philippines to Spain and Guadeloupe and Martinique to France.

Britain allowed France to keep some of the Indian factories. Britain also received Ile Royal or the Cape Breton Island from France and she also agreed to stop its fortifications in the British Honduras (Belize) but kept its log wood cutting company there. The King of Great Britain was to be recognized by France as the Prince elector of the Holy Roman Empire.

Spain was another major power that was involved in this treaty. After the signing of the treaty, Spain had to give up Florida and Minorca to Britain and received New Orleans, Louisiana from France and Cuba and Philippines from Britain.

The major Treaty of Paris 1763 significance was that it marked the start or rather the beginning of the British rule outside Europe. It played a major role in world history. The treaty was supposed to bring the Americans closer to the British, but just the opposite happened.

The Britishers looked down upon the Americans and as for the Americans, they were not the ones to sit back and take orders from others, hence the thirteen colonies united and revolted against the British.