Treaty of Paris Ends Revolutionary War 

Treaty of Paris Ends Revolutionary War 

After more than eight years of fighting, the American Revolutionary War came to and end on September 3, 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

Two years earlier, the British suffered a disastrous defeat at Yorktown, leading to the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and capture of over 7,000 of his men. This loss dramatically lowered British support for the war, leading that nation’s Prime Minister to resign the following spring. That April, the House of Commons voted to end the war in America and agreed to enter into peace talks.

Negotiations between Britain and America (as well as Britain and America’s allies France and Spain) lasted through that summer. David Hartley and Richard Oswald represented Great Britain, while Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Henry Laurens, and John Adams represented the United States. On November 30, both nations signed a preliminary agreement.

Though representatives were settling on peace agreements, fighting continued intermittently during this time. In February 1783, as the both nations’ governments reviewed the terms of the agreement, King George III issued the Proclamation of Cessation of Hostilities to end the fighting.

The representatives met once again, at the Hotel d’York in Paris on September 3, 1783 to sign the peace agreement, officially ending the war. The same day, Britain also signed peace agreements with France and Spain.

In the treaty’s preamble, both nations agreed to “forget all past misunderstandings and differences” and “secure to both perpetual peace and harmony.” Britain agreed to acknowledge America as a free, sovereign nation, and that all future British rulers would relinquish claims there. The agreement established boundaries between the U.S. and British North America, and granted fishing rights, among other things.

Many historians agree that the terms were particularly favorable to the United States. This was likely because the British believed America could become a major trading partner.

The treaty was then taken before the U.S. Congress, which ratified it in January 1784. The British ratified it that April and representatives exchanged ratified versions on May 12.

Click the images to add this history to your collection.