Treaty of Paris 1783

Early Negotiations and Provisions of the Treaty of Paris (1783)

The central delegation of American negotiators consisted of Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams. France's original proposal was to divide eastern North America's lands between the three major belligerent nations: France, England, and America. Their proposal granted:

• The United States all lands east of the Appalachian Mountains;
• Britain all lands north of the Ohio River;
• France all lands west of the Mississippi River not controlled by Spain;
• For the indigenous peoples, a buffer zone between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River;
• Spain would retain the control of its southern colonies, such as Florida.

Fig. 2 - 1782 territory proposal

Direct Negotiations with Britain

As the delegation didn't work with the French, Lord North resigned his position. The new Prime minister would be Charles Watson-Wentworth. He held a different view than that of Lord North and was open to the complete independence of the American colonies. The American delegation in France sent John Jay to inform the Prime Minister that the Americans were willing to negotiate directly with England. Lord Watson-Wentworth died before negotiations could begin, but his replacement, Lord Shelburne, kept the same sentiment.

Fig. 3 - Lord Shelburne

1. Lord Shelburne's purpose for direct negotiations and complete independence was economic. He saw the strong United States as a keen financial partner and that harsh or unfair terms in a peace treaty would push the Americans away from trade with England. During the renewed negotiations with England, Britain proposed that the Americans gain sovereignty over all lands east of the Mississippi River. The southern border would be Spanish-controlled Florida, and the northern border would be the current one with Canada. Though the French found themselves frustrated that the Americans began negotiating with the English, they too began peace talks with the British over trade rights.

   Provisions of the Treaty of Paris 1783

   Besides establishing the sovereign borders of the United States, the Treaty of Paris 1783 set trade and policy provisions. The central provision was a trade-off. The United States would be granted fishing and trade rights off the coast of British-controlled Canada in exchange for recovering stolen and confiscated property of Loyalist Americans. Lord Shelburne aimed to give the Americans favorable terms to calm the tensions between the two nations.

   Fig. 4 - Signing of Treaty of Versailles in 1783

   Terms of the Treaty of Paris 1783

   The Treaty of Paris did expressly state ten agreements between Britain and the United States:

   Fig. 5 - Treaty of Paris 1783

   1. Britain recognized the American colonies as fully sovereign and independent states, with no connection or responsibility to the English Crown.
   2. Established the northern, southern, and western borders of the United States.
   3. Granted the United States fishing rights off the coast of Canada.
   4. Fully recognized the financial debts and credits contracted between the United States and Britain, meaning both nations would uphold current trade agreements.
   5. The United States would move to reinstate any lost property and restitution to Loyalists quickly.
   6. The United States would not allow any further confiscation of Loyalist property.
   7. Both nations agreed to release their prisoners of war, and all British property already within the borders of the United States would remain in the United States.
   8. Both nations would be granted peaceful access to the Mississippi River.
   9. Territories captured during the war that was not in the nations' expressed control as defined by the Treaty would be returned to the proper country without compensation.
   10. The Treaty would be ratified six months after it was signed.

   The Significance of the Treaty of Paris 1783

   The Treaty was formally signed on September 3, 1783, officially ending the Revolutionary War. The Treaty was very much in favor of the United States, as the new nation gained more territory and trade benefits from the negotiations compared to the French and British.

There were some lasting consequences. For example, the northern border of present-day Minnesota was ambiguously established and would have to be rectified by the Jay Treaty in 1794. In addition, the British did not relinquish control of their Forts in American territory. Another term that would not be corrected and enforced until the Jay Treaty.

Internal conflicts would arise between the federal and state governments under the Articles of Confederation because of the terms over Loyalist property. Some states upheld the Treaty, compensating Loyalists for their estates and property, while other states used confiscated property to pay off debts.

Moreover, the Treaty established the United States as a recognized nation on the international stage. It proved that the National Government could function on behalf of the states when creating peace and trade terms as a union.