State Historical Society of Iowa

Treaty of Paris, 1783

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Courtesy of National Archives, Treaty of Paris, 3 September 1783

Description

The Treaty of Paris was negotiated to end the American Revolution. John Adams, Ben Franklin and John Jay were the American representatives. Their discussions regarding the boundaries of the United States resulted in the western border of the United States being set at the Mississippi River. Forts captured by Col. George Rogers Clark on behalf of the United States were included in the final boundary.

Full Transcription of the Treaty of Paris

Transcribed Excerpts from the Treaty of Paris

Source Dependent Questions

  • Using this interactive tool or a modern map of the United States, trace the borders of the United States as outlined in Article 2 of the Treaty of Paris. What do you observe about the location of the Kaskaskia and Cahokia in relation to the border? What can you infer about the connection between the placement of the border and the American possession of the forts?
  • In Article 7, what did the British promise to do? Use your knowledge of American history to predict how well the British kept that promise.
  • Clark wrote that, "I made all the preparations I possibly could for the attack and was necessitated to set fire to some of the houses in Town to clear them out of the way..." What does this passage indicate of the brutality of Clark's leadership?

Citation Information

Treaty of Paris, 3 September 1783. Courtesy of National Archives Courtesy of Library of Congress

State Historical Society of Iowa

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