Transcript Political Independence - Adams State University

Political Independence Achieved
Mythmaking and Making the Treaty of Paris,
1783
Why peace?
• Burgoyne’s and Cornwallis’ losses were similar;
why make peace?
• Domestic discord in London—Gordon Riots
(1780)
• Cabinet opposed war: GIII essentially his own
first minister since 1778.
• Second Battle of Ushant, 12 December 1781
• Loss of Minorca to Spain, 6 February 1782
• Lord North lost Confidence vote 20 March 1782
• League of Armed Neutrality
• Battle of the Saintes, April 12, 1782.
Shelburne and Fox-North
Governments
• William Petty Fitz-Maurice, Lord
Shelburne, agreed to end Parliamentary
opposition to George III and form
government with Lord Rockingham on
understanding that GIII would recognize
independence of United States. (1782)
• Charles James Fox and Lord North form
unlikely coalition; take power in 1783.
Separate peace with United States.
A bulbous Charles James Fox, 17491806)
Treaty of Paris, 1783
• Adams, Franklin, and Jay negotiated with
David Hartley. Agreement reached on
Sept. 3, 1783.
• Britain made separate agreements with
France and Spain on Same day
Treaty Terms
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Recognizing the 13 colonies as free and sovereign States;[1]
Establishing the boundaries between the United States and British North
America (for an account of two strange anomalies resulting from this part of
the Treaty, based on inaccuracies in the Mitchell Map, see Northwest Angle and
the Republic of Indian Stream);
Granting fishing rights to United States fishermen in the Grand Banks, off the
coast of Newfoundland and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence;
Recognizing the lawful contracted debts to be paid to creditors on either side;
The Congress of the Confederation will "earnestly recommend" to state
legislatures to recognize the rightful owners of all confiscated lands "provide
for the restitution of all estates, rights, and properties, which have been
confiscated belonging to real British subjects [Loyalists]";
United States will prevent future confiscations of the property of Loyalists;
Prisoners of war on both sides are to be released and all property left by the
British army in the United States unmolested (including slaves);
Great Britain and the United States were each to be given perpetual access to
the Mississippi River;
Territories captured by Americans subsequent to treaty will be returned without
compensation;
Ratification of the treaty was to occur within six months from the signing by
the contracting parties.
Difficulties with Treaty
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Loyalist Property
Payment to British creditors
Boundaries with Spain and Canada
Use of the Mississippi