The year was 1782. The British empire was at war. The Minorca island had fallen. The Rock of Gibraltar was set to fall. And in the city of Paris, three American negotiators (John Jay, John Adams, and Ben Franklin) gathered to settle peace terms.Given particular instructions by Congress, the three set off to Paris. The three representatives chafed at the instructions given to them. They were told not to make any separate peace and to consult with their French allies at all stages of negotiations. The three could tell that the French foreign ministry had an indirect hand in the instructions.
France, on the other hand, had other things
on its mind. Promises were made to Spain that would give them Gibraltar. However, Spain wanted the trans-Allegheny area as well. This put France in a tight spot since America was promised it as well.
France wanted an independent United States, but didn't want to deal with it. So France forged a plan to keep America cooped up east of the Allegheny Mountains. Furthermore, it would be easier to promote French interests and policies in a tiny country than in a larger one. France payed money for its troops and now it wanted it back.
John Jay, the representative from New York, smelled trouble
with the ambitions of Americans and Spaniards. He saw signs that would indicate France would betray them.
So, secretly, he broke the instructions given to them by Congress by telling the British of their troubles.
Britain, hard-pressed with the number of enemies that it faced, quickly came to terms with the Americans to get the Americans out of the alliance. The final peace, known as the Treaty of Paris, came out in 1783.
Through the Treaty of Paris (II), Britain finally recognized the independence of the United States. Furthermore, extremely generous amounts of land were given to them including the Mississippi, the Great Lakes, and Florida. Also (to Canadian disapproval), fisheries in Newfoundland would still be theirs.
Why was all this land given to them? The answer is because Britain didn't want the Americans to succumb to their French allies and would do anything to lure them away from the French. The war cost a lot for the French as well, including money, men, and making promises that it couldn't keep to the Spanish crown. So by ending the conflict, France was relieved to free itself from further debt and embarrassment.
hey hitchiker 007 (Sam Weise). great post on the Treaty of Paris and the end of the war. it was very complicated for all countries but it had a happy ending (except for Britain)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Andrew in that the war negotiations were certainly very complicated...though don't forget, it wasn't necessarily happy for France in the long run either (Robespierre and the Reign of Terror come to mind...but that's AP Euro...I should get back on topic...). And why does everyone have to sign their treaties in Paris? I like the way you told the account like a narrative...it makes it easier to remember. Great post!
ReplyDeleteParis is like a mecca of treaties, you could say. This post got straight to the point, thank you. I like the images that went along with your post.
ReplyDeleteGeneral agreement with Andrew, Matthew, and She Who is Beautiful! The narrative is good! I didn't think of that for mine, but it made an excellent review. Who wants to read facts all day? Unless....they are disguised in a story or... Poem. Ahem.
ReplyDeleteJohn Jay was pretty cool I think. You did a good job of summarizing. Thanks!
Sam, good job in putting this presentation together. You did well in putting the information in an organized manner. The pictures help to keep the reader focused.
ReplyDeleteGood Job.
Very nice summary of the terms of the end of this War, and the tensions that would lead to others (hint, hint!). Anyway, it is a bit of a puzzle to wonder who was really on the American side at this point??? France, their once faithful ally, now seemed a bit too interested in taking lands from them...
ReplyDeleteblackhawk is right for once. whitehawk agree. good presentation. very inciteful.. didn't know the french were so greedy for land.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post, no fluffy stuff. Which is great :) I love how everyone is doing their post differently! Some stories, some ballads, some quickfacts... Something new every time. I especially like the story though because it make everything so easy to remember.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good summary of this section. It's (not quite short) but sweet and to the point. It was good and told the story and the info.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great review of the last section of the chapter and is definitely easier to read than the textbook :)
ReplyDeleteI like your profile pic, by the way
It's really kinda crazy to think that Americans actually didn't win the war by themselves. It almost stabs my pride to think that we aren't the lone wolves of the world. No matter.. Long post + lots of info = good blog
ReplyDeletegood job! Although, you make it sound like things were pretty good for the French in the end. Though either way is arguable, depending on how you view the revolution.
ReplyDeleteIn any case Mrs Whetstone would approve. Lots of good info with no fluff.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brent. Kind of like Independance day is really Independance with french help day. Ya, it doesn't have the pizzazz (not pizzas) IT was exact and good. Nice post
ReplyDeleteFunny thing about the trans-Allegheny area was that the only pictures I could find refered to the "Trans-Allegheny Institution for the Criminally Insane". Thx for the comments, everyone.
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