The Treaty of Paris

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The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, marked the formal end of the American Revolutionary War. Negotiated in Paris by American representatives John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, it recognized the independence of the United States from Great Britain. This treaty was part of a broader peace settlement known as the Peace of Paris, which also included separate treaties between Great Britain and other allied nations like France, Spain, and the Netherlands. The treaty established the boundaries between the United States and British North America, granting the U.S. significant western territory and rights to the Mississippi River. It also secured fishing rights for U.S. fishermen off Newfoundland and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Additionally, it mandated the release of prisoners of war and the restoration of confiscated properties. The treaty was ratified by the U.S. Confederation Congress on January 14, 1784, and it remains a foundational document in U.S. history, affirming American sovereignty and independence.