Student Handbook

The Treaty of Paris (1783) was one of a series of treaties; collectively known as the Peace of Paris, or the Treaty of Versailles of 1783, that established peace between Great Britain and the allied nations of France, Spain, and the Netherlands. Negotiated as a separate treaty between Great Britain and the United States, the primary provisions of the Treaty of Paris established the independence of the United States and ended hostilities between the two nations. Other provisions dealt with the defining of borders, restitution for Loyalist property confiscated by Americans during the war, the return of slaves confiscated by the British, and the removal of British troops from American soil.

Signed by U.S. and British Representatives on September 3, 1783, ending the Revolutionary War

Based on a preliminary treaty agreed to in 1782

Recognized the independence of the United States

Granted the U.S. significant western territories

Other important provisions established U.S. boundaries, specified certain fishing rights, allowed creditors of each country to be paid by citizens of the other, restored the rights and property of Loyalists, opened up the Mississippi River to citizens of both nations and provided for evacuation of all British forces.

Was one of a series of treaties collectively known as the Peace of Paris, or the Treaty of Versailles of 1783, which also established peace between Great Britain and the allied nations of France, Spain, and the Netherlands?

Signed by John Jay, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, who negotiated the treaty for the U.S., and by David Hartley, member of the House of Commons, representing King George III

The Congress of the Confederation ratified the treaty on January 14, 1784

Great Britain ratified on April 9, 1784

Signed and ratified versions of the document were exchanged in Paris on May 12, 1784

In the aftermath, parts of the treaty were not honored by both nations. The Americans did not honor the section about not...