West, Benjamin. "American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Agreement with Great Britain (unfinished oil sketch)." Between 1783 and 1784. Oil on canvas. Description: The painting depicts John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin, with the British commissioners refusing to pose, leading to the unfinished state of the artwork. Collection: Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library. Dimensions: height 72.3 cm (28.4 in), width 92 cm (36.2 in). Accession number: 1957.0856. Place of creation: United States of America. Retrieved from http://www.nccsc.net/archives/poetry/poems/treaty-paris-1783.
Embedded Files
Treaty of Paris 1783:
First Expansion Beyond the Thirteen Colonies
The Treaty of Paris 1783 marked a significant milestone in the history of the United States. It was the agreement that formally ended the American Revolutionary War and solidified the nation's independence from Great Britain. But beyond securing independence, the treaty also opened up new opportunities for American expansion.
One of the key outcomes of the Treaty of Paris was the acquisition of the Northwest Territory. This vast region, located beyond the original thirteen colonies, was obtained from the British as part of the treaty. The Northwest Territory encompassed what would later become the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and even included parts of Minnesota.
The acquisition of the Northwest Territory presented the United States with a unique opportunity for westward expansion. It provided fertile lands, abundant natural resources, and the potential for economic growth. As the United States began to explore and settle the territory, it paved the way for the development of new states and the expansion of the young nation.
In the years following the Treaty of Paris, settlers from the east began to migrate westward into the Northwest Territory. They established towns, farms, and industries, shaping the landscape and contributing to the growth of these new states. The fertile soil of the region proved ideal for agriculture, and the area became known as the "breadbasket" of the United States.
As the population grew, so did the need for infrastructure and governance. The Northwest Ordinance, enacted in 1787, provided a framework for the organization and admission of new states from the territory. It also established important principles, such as the prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory.
The expansion into the Northwest Territory not only added new states to the Union but also brought about important social and cultural changes. Native American tribes, who had long inhabited the region, faced displacement and conflict as American settlers moved in. The interactions and conflicts between settlers and Native Americans would shape the history of the region for years to come.
The Treaty of Paris 1783 marked a turning point in American history. It not only secured independence but also paved the way for the expansion and growth of the United States. The acquisition of the Northwest Territory provided fertile ground for settlement and the development of new states. As the nation expanded beyond the original thirteen colonies, it laid the foundation for the diverse and dynamic country we know today.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse