Question

Describe the ten provisions of the treaty of Paris.

Answer 1

1 –Acknowledging the Thirteen Colonies to be free, sovereign and independent states, and that the British Crown and all heirs and successors give up all claims to the Government, property, and territorial rights of the same, and every part thereof.

2 –Establishing the boundaries between the United States and British North America.

3 –Granting fishing rights to United States fisherman in the Grand Banks, off the coast of Newfoundland and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

4 –Recognizing that lawful, contracted debts would be paid to creditors on either side.

5 –The Congress of the Confederation will “earnestly recommend” to state legislatures to recognize the rightful owners of all confiscated lands and pay for lands confiscated from Loyalists.

6 –The United States would prevent ­future confiscations of the property of ­Loyalists.

7 –Prisoners of war on both sides would be released and all property left by the British army in the United States would be unm0lested (including enslaved people).

8 –Great Britain and the United States were each to be given perpetual access to the Mississippi River.

9 –Territories captured by Americans after the treaty would be returned without compensation.

10 –Ratification of the treaty was to occur within six months from the signing. (It actually took eight months.)

Answer 2

Two crucial provisions of the treaty were British recognition of U.S. independence and the delineation of boundaries that would allow for American western expansion. The treaty is named for the city in which it was negotiated and signed.