The American Revolution, the colonial fight for independence lasted from 1775 to 1783. The American colonists fought British soldiers to win independence and freedom. In 1783, the end of the war The Treaty of Paris was the way Americans got independence and to stopped fighting the British. This Treaty held much power over the Americans and the British Parliament. The British had surrendered to the Americans after the defeat in Yorktown, Virginia in October of 1781. The Americans support faded from the British Parliament after the news about the British losing Yorktown reached America . American negotiators, Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay went to The Palace of Versailles in Paris, and met up with David Hartley from Britain, to sign the document that formally ended the American Revolution and gave America the independence that our country earned. The signing of this very important and critical document made sure that America and future generations had the freedom that the American Revolution soldiers fought for. The Treaty of Paris, arguably the most important document in American history, having multiple sacrifices made, having had many battles and peace negotiations from brave, trusting, intelligent people from the past that made a future for America.
Starting in the spring of 1782, peace negotiations began and continued into the fall of that same year . The Preliminary Treaty of Paris was the first of 3 documents to be signed. This first one was signed on November 30, 1782, almost a year before the official Treaty of Paris was signed . One of the biggest benefits from the Treaty of Paris, besides independence for America, the British hesitantly gave the Northwest Territory to America. These were states of the Northern Central parts of America including, Ohio, MIchigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and only some parts of Minnesota . Britain did refuse to take out the forts they had remaining in the Northwest Territory. Both America and Britain were allowed access to the Mississippi River as a boundary because that was the way Britain started to recognize America’s independence. Both countries were also allowed to share the Newfoundland fisheries.
The United States and Great Britain signed 3 original treaties. There are many terms from the treaty of Paris that helps Britain recognize that America wants its independence. There was also conflict with a few of the terms for the two countries. For example, Americans took away property to the citizens who were loyal to Britain during the war but congress suggested to the states that the loyalists should be treated fairly and be given their property back . Both countries agreed on that ALL creditors from neither state should be prevented from getting their debt back from war. As well as having all wartime prisoners released. Some issues that were not resolved were fixed by the “Jay’s Treaty” by John Jay in 1795 to prevent another war breaking out between America and Britain.
Many other European countries such as France, Spain, and the Netherlands joined the war against Britain. While making negotiations, The Americans made it clear that the terms of the United States alliance with France prevented them from making peace without French approval. Thomas Greenville, a young British aristocrat, argued that America and Britain should make a peace that is not linked with British negotiations with the French(Source 7). This is because The French sent a secret envoy to London because there were many issues regarding the fishing rights and the Grand Banks. A short while after, John Jay had learned what the French were up to and wrote to Shelbourne and told him why he should not be influenced by the French. Ben Franklin, one of the American negotiators had privately wrote to Capt. Nathaniel Falconer Pennsylvania Sea Captain, then in London, “… The French are an amiable people to live with. They love me, I love them, yet I do not feel myself at home, and I wish to die in my own country.” Franklin wanted this Independence for America so he can feel as though he has his own home and feel safe even though it’s not a burden living with the French although they tried to ambush the Treaty of Paris rights.
On September 3, 1783, the Americans and British signed the Treaty of Paris along with treaties from France,Spain, and the Netherlands for the British to sign as well. The treaty was signed in the Palace of Versailles in Paris, which is why the treaty itself is called the Treaty of Paris. The Treaty of Paris was to be ratified six months after signing which was in early 1784. A few months before the signing of the treaty, on July 24,1783 Ben Franklin sent a letter to, St. Joseph Banks, a British botanist and a longtime science correspondent to Franklin, saying, “ I join with you most corridally in rejoicing at the return of peace..”. “.. For in my opinion, there never was a good war or a bad peace.” Simply stating that Franklin wants there to be peace between the two nations and saying how none of the wars were necessary and how there was peace but it got overthrown by war, now wanting to overthrow war with peace.
The signing of this document was critical to the Americans and British ending the war. Getting independence was all they wanted, and they finally got it in September 1783. This was the best treaty our new Nation could receive as a whole. This is the most important signed document in American History because without it, America would not be independent and they would be controlled by Great Britain and would have to follow rules of a monarch political system . With the Treaty of Paris on our side, America and its people are happy, independent and free, and that’s the way we want it to stay.
Bibliography
- Alchin, Linda. “Peace Treaty of Paris 1783”. Linda Alchin. September 18, 2018. https://www.landofthebrave.info/treaty-of-paris-1783.htm
- “Benjamin Franklin, Negotiating Peace after the American Revolution Letters from Paris, 1781-1784, Selections”. National Humanities Center. September 19, 2018. http://americainclass.org/sources/makingrevolution/war/text9/franklinltrspeacetreaty.pdf
- Inc. Renham J. Edward. “The Treaty of Parks, the Precursor to a New Nation”. New York, New York: Infobase Publishing, 2007.
- Hickman, Kennedy. “The Treaty of Paris 1783”. ThoughtCo. September 19, 2018. https://www.thoughtco.com/treaty-of-paris-1783-2361092
- “Peace of Paris”. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. September 18, 2018.https://www.britannica.com/event/Peace-of-Paris-1783
- “Treaty of Paris 1783”. General Records of the United States Government. September 18, 2018. https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=6
- “Treaty of Paris”. A+E Television Networks. September 18, 2018. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/treaty-of-paris