Treaty of Paris (1763)
Paris, France
What happened
Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal, represented by the Duke of Bedford, the Duke of Praslin and the Marquis of Grimaldi. The Seven Years' War had been fought across Europe, North America, the Caribbean, Africa and India. In Paris, France gave Canada and the land east of the Mississippi to Britain, and Spain gave Florida to Britain. Britain handed back several captured islands and trading posts, including Martinique, Guadeloupe, Havana and Manila.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the war between Britain and France over North America and marked the start of British dominance outside Europe. Some historians link anger over its terms in the American colonies to the coming of the American Revolution.
What came next
Five days later the Treaty of Hubertusburg ended the war in central Europe. Twenty years later, another Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolutionary War.
Did you know?
The French writer Voltaire dismissed Canada as 'a few acres of snow'.
Timeline
- 10 February 1763The Treaty of Paris is signed.
- 15 February 1763The Treaty of Hubertusburg is signed.
- 1769Spain takes possession of Louisiana.
- 1783A new Treaty of Paris ends the American Revolutionary War.