Consequences
The consequences of the 1763 Treaty of Paris were both important and complex. They are henceforth divided into two parts: distribution of land and impact on North Americans.
Before the Seven Years' War, the extent of British rule in North America was the American colonies. The French owned Louisiana Territory and most of Canada (Chronicles of America, 2009). The Spanish owned New Spain, which consisted of Mexico and the current American southwest. They also owned most of modern-day Florida. Native Americans owned the territory from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River. After the 1763 Treaty of Paris, Britain owned the thirteen American colonies, most of Canada, and the former Native American territory (Thackeray and Findling, 2002). Native Americans still lived peacefully in their homeland, but under British rule. The Spanish owned New Spain and Louisiana Territory, although Louisiana Territory was later secretly returned to the French (Calloway, 2006). France had lost all of its land in North America. North Americans were greatly affected by the 1763 Treaty of Paris. The American colonists were pleased that the fighting had ceased, but the war created tension between the colonists and British that would not be resolved until the end of the American Revolution twenty years later. Native Americans were delighted that the war had ended, but were agitated that they were under British rule. American colonists and Native Americans were generally cooperative. Little is known about the reaction of Canadians and citizens west of the Mississippi River (Calloway, 2006). As a whole, the 1763 Treaty of Paris broke new ground. All citizens of North America felt less reliant on their distant European rulers (Calloway, 2006). This feeling of independence sparked the American Revolution, Mexican Independence, and Canadian Independence. Without the treaty, we would not be the countries we are today. |
In this video, John Shy of the University of Michigan explains some of the positive and negative consequences of the Seven Years' War on the British empire. It was retrieved from a "historian's footnotes" on the documentary The War That Made America.
Use the slideshow above to compare different maps showing the results of the 1763 Treaty of Paris.
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Successes and Failures
There are several reasons the 1763 Treaty of Paris was successful. The treaty stopped the war and ended fighting. Generals on all sides were notified so that no more unnecessary killings would occur. The citizens of all of the countries were safe.
Another success of the Treaty of Paris was that France and Britain were no longer enemies. The two countries had been at war since the late 1600s (Fraser, 2003). The bitterness had finally stopped and the countries were merely rivals.
The last key success of the 1763 Treaty of Paris was that none of the countries involved were angry with the outcome. Britain and Spain both gained thousands of square miles of colonies, most of which were rich with natural resources. France wished to acquire territory in North America, but was happy that they had prosperous colonies in India (Calloway, 2006).
There were several issues the 1763 Treaty of Paris failed to solve. One was that Native Americans no longer had their own land. The British failed to acknowledge any request for independence from Native American leaders (Calloway, 2006). Native Americans would continue to be pushed farther west, until the United States finally reached the Pacific coast. Today, Native Americans live in peace within the United States, but without their own country.
Another failure of the 1763 Treaty of Paris was that the relationship between the thirteen American colonies and Britain became negative. Britain did not promise financial security to the colonies when arranging the treaty (U.S. History: Pre-Columbian to the New Millennium, 2011). This caused many revolts. Britain was harsh and sent more military in order to contain the revolutionary colonists. This only angered the colonists, which led to the American Revolution. Britain might not have lost its wealthiest colonies if it had not been cruel.
Although the failures of the 1763 Treaty of Paris were unfortunate, there were many successes. North America and Europe were finally peaceful after almost 100 years of war.
Another success of the Treaty of Paris was that France and Britain were no longer enemies. The two countries had been at war since the late 1600s (Fraser, 2003). The bitterness had finally stopped and the countries were merely rivals.
The last key success of the 1763 Treaty of Paris was that none of the countries involved were angry with the outcome. Britain and Spain both gained thousands of square miles of colonies, most of which were rich with natural resources. France wished to acquire territory in North America, but was happy that they had prosperous colonies in India (Calloway, 2006).
There were several issues the 1763 Treaty of Paris failed to solve. One was that Native Americans no longer had their own land. The British failed to acknowledge any request for independence from Native American leaders (Calloway, 2006). Native Americans would continue to be pushed farther west, until the United States finally reached the Pacific coast. Today, Native Americans live in peace within the United States, but without their own country.
Another failure of the 1763 Treaty of Paris was that the relationship between the thirteen American colonies and Britain became negative. Britain did not promise financial security to the colonies when arranging the treaty (U.S. History: Pre-Columbian to the New Millennium, 2011). This caused many revolts. Britain was harsh and sent more military in order to contain the revolutionary colonists. This only angered the colonists, which led to the American Revolution. Britain might not have lost its wealthiest colonies if it had not been cruel.
Although the failures of the 1763 Treaty of Paris were unfortunate, there were many successes. North America and Europe were finally peaceful after almost 100 years of war.