Treaty of Paris, 1783

The signing of the Peace Treaty in Paris was one of the most important historical events that had taken place in American history. It was signed between the Americans and the British, and it marked the end of the Revolutionary War, officially on the 3rd of September, 1783.

It recognized the United States of America as an independent nation. Given below is some more information about what was the treaty all about, its provisions, and also its significance.

On the 3rd of September, 1783, the Congress of the Confederation and the King of Great Britain signed the Treaty, marking the end of the long drawn American Revolution between Americans and the British. This treaty was signed in Paris in the (what is now) 56 Rue hotel.

Those who represented America were:

• John Adams - He was the American diplomat, statesman, and a political theorist. John Adams was the second President of United States and he was also one of the Founding Fathers.

• Benjamin Franklin - He too, was one of the Founding Fathers of United States. Besides that, he was a politician, a postmaster, a scientist, an inventor, a diplomat, a civic activist, as well as an author and a printer.

• John Jay - Another Founding Father of United States, he was also the first Chief Justice of the United States of America, a politician, a revolutionary as well as a diplomat.

Britain was represented by David Hartley who was a member of the British Parliament and he represented the British Monarch, King George III. The Treaty was ratified in the year 1784 by the American Congress of Confederation. The date was 14th January, 1784 and since then this day is celebrated as Ratification Day in America. Britain ratified the Treaty on the 9th of April of the same year and on the 12th of May, these ratifications were exchanged in Paris.

The Peace Treaty provided some important articles or terms which were agreed upon by both the parties. A brief description of each terms have been described below, which will help you to know not only about the terms but also about its significance

• The Thirteen Colonies of America are declared to be free, independent and sovereign states and the British Crown is not supposed to have any control over the running of these States.

• Boundary is created between the British North America and the United States, i.e., between the Atlantic on the eastern side and the Mississippi river on the west, on the basis of the Mitchell Map. The boundary is made from the 49th parallel on the north to the 31st parallel on the south.

• The fishermen from United States of America were given the right to fish in the Grand Banks as well as the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
• The provisions of the debtors on both sides paying the creditors on both sides, were recognized.

• The Congress Confederation "earnestly recommended" the State Legislature to recognize the rightful owners of the lands and properties that had been confiscated and settle all kinds of property issues with the Loyalists.

• The prisoners of the war of both the countries were released and all those which the British had left behind in the United States of America, were to remain as they were.
• Access to the Mississippi was permitted for both the countries.

• Subsequent to the Treaty, all the territories that were captured by the Americans, were to be returned without any kind of compensation.
• The Treaty was to be ratified 6 months from the date of signing by both the countries.

After the Treaty was signed all the provisions that America as a British colony, had enjoyed, were taken away. You now know why this was signed and what was it's significance in the world history. Britain also signed a Treaty with the other European countries; France, Spain, and the Dutch Republic and that was the Peace of Paris, 1783.