Treaty of Paris (1783)
Hôtel d'York, 56 Rue Jacob, Paris, France
What happened
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay for the United States, and David Hartley for Great Britain. After the American Revolutionary War, American and British diplomats met in Paris to make peace. Britain agreed that the United States was free, sovereign and independent. The new country's borders were set from Canada in the north to Florida in the south and west to the Mississippi River.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It formally ended the American Revolutionary War and recognised the United States as an independent nation. It also gave American fishermen rights off Newfoundland and settled questions of debts and Loyalist property.
What came next
The US Congress ratified the treaty on 14 January 1784, meeting in Annapolis, Maryland.
Did you know?
The French foreign minister, Vergennes, joked that 'the English buy peace rather than make it', because the borders they gave were so generous.
Timeline
- 1783American and British diplomats negotiate in Paris.
- 3 September 1783The Treaty of Paris is signed.
- 14 January 1784Congress ratifies the treaty in Annapolis.