This treaty, signed on September 3, 1783, between the American colonies and Great Britain, ended the American Revolution and formally recognized the United States as an independent nation.

Question

The American War for Independence (1775-1783) was actually a world conflict, involving not only the United States and Great Britain, but also France, Spain, and the Netherlands. The peace process brought a nascent United States into the arena of international diplomacy, playing against the largest and most established powers on earth.

The three American negotiators-John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay-proved themselves ready for the world stage, achieving many of the objectives sought by the now United States. Two crucial provisions of the treaty were British recognition of U.S. independence and the delineation of boundaries that would allow for American western expansion

The treaty is named for the city in which it was negotiated and signed. The last page bears the signatures of David Hartley, who represented Great Britain, and the three American negotiators, who signed their names in alphabetical order.

Multiple treaty documents, however, can be considered as originals. In this case, the United States and British representatives signed at least three originals, two of which are in the holdings of the National Archives. On one of the signed originals the signatures and wax seals are arranged horizontally, on the other they are arranged vertically. In addition, handwritten certified copies were made for the use of Congress. Some online transcriptions of the treaty omit Delaware from the list of former colonies, but the original text does list Delaware.

Describe any controversy
List all parties who were fighting (example colonists Great Britain King political groups)
Name at least one individual involved and how they were involved in the event
Make a paragraph one paragraph using some of the information given

Answer 1

Controversy: One controversy surrounding the Treaty of Paris (1783) is the treatment of Native American tribes. The treaty effectively ignored their rights and claims to land, as neither the United States nor Great Britain recognized Native Americans as participants in the negotiations or as sovereign entities deserving of a say in territorial disputes. This omission sowed the seeds for future conflicts between the United States and Indigenous peoples.

Parties Involved: The key parties involved in the conflict were the American colonists, represented by the Continental Congress and various political factions that emerged during the revolution, Great Britain, and its loyalist supporters. Additionally, major European powers such as France, Spain, and the Netherlands played roles, supporting the American cause against Britain.

Individual Involvement: John Adams was one of the three American negotiators of the Treaty of Paris. Alongside Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, he worked diligently to secure the United States’ independence and favorable territorial boundaries, showcasing diplomatic skills that helped to cement the nation’s position on the world stage.

Paragraph: The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, marked the formal conclusion of the American War for Independence and established the United States as a sovereign nation, recognized by Great Britain. The negotiations involved key American figures such as John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, who successfully advocated for American interests against the backdrop of a wider global conflict involving France, Spain, and the Netherlands. One of the treaty's notable outcomes was the British acknowledgment of U.S. independence and the territorial delineation that facilitated future westward expansion. However, the treaty did not account for the rights of Native American tribes, whose claims to land were ignored, setting the stage for ongoing conflicts in the years to come. The methodical approach to signing multiple copies of the treaty, featuring signatures arranged either horizontally or vertically, exemplified the burgeoning diplomatic practices of the new nation.