Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This video chronicles the peace talks between America and Britain that began in Paris in 1782. The British prime minister directed his home secretary, Wiliam Fitzmaurice, Earl of Shelburne, to oversee negotiations on behalf of Britain, who in turn instructed Richard Oswald to conduct day-to-day negotiations. By November 30, more than a year after Yorktown, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay, and Henry Laurens signed a preliminary order of peace. In it, Britain formally acknowledged American independence, and the boundaries of the new nation were defined. The British agreed to withdraw their forces "with all convenient speed," and agreed that Americans could fish in the waters off Canada as they had always done. America agreed not to interfere with loyalists who chose to leave and pledged not to interfere with the collection of pre-war debts still owed to British merchants. France and Spain agreed to separate peace terms with Britain a few weeks later. Congress approved the terms and sent word back to the commissioners to sign the final Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783.
The Year in Revolution Series was produced with classroom use in mind. Beginning with 1775 and ending with 1783, students and lifelong learners alike will learn about each year of the Revolution through a comprehensive overview video and five “who, what, where, when, and how” videos. The animated series draws heavily from the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati’s library and museum collections.
Funding for this video was made possible by a grant from the George S. Rich Family Foundation. The creative team for this series was assembled by the American Revolution Institute and the talented educational production leads at Makematic Limited/ClickView.
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This video chronicles the peace talks between America and Britain that began in Paris in 1782. The British prime minister directed his home secretary, Wiliam Fitzmaurice, Earl of Shelburne, to oversee negotiations on behalf of Britain, who in turn instructed Richard Oswald to conduct day-to-day negotiations. By November 30, more than a year after Yorktown, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay, and Henry Laurens signed a preliminary order of peace. In it, Britain formally acknowledged American independence, and the boundaries of the new nation were defined. The British agreed to withdraw their forces "with all convenient speed," and agreed that Americans could fish in the waters off Canada as they had always done. America agreed not to interfere with loyalists who chose to leave and pledged not to interfere with the collection of pre-war debts still owed to British merchants. France and Spain agreed to separate peace terms with Britain a few weeks later. Congress approved the terms and sent word back to the commissioners to sign the final Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783.
The Year in Revolution Series was produced with classroom use in mind. Beginning with 1775 and ending with 1783, students and lifelong learners alike will learn about each year of the Revolution through a comprehensive overview video and five “who, what, where, when, and how” videos. The animated series draws heavily from the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati’s library and museum collections.
Funding for this video was made possible by a grant from the George S. Rich Family Foundation. The creative team for this series was assembled by the American Revolution Institute and the talented educational production leads at Makematic Limited/ClickView.
SUBSCRIBE to our channel: bit.ly/3DxZnrJ
Follow us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRevo...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanrev...
Twitter: twitter.com/AmRevInstitute
Stay updated by joining our mailing list: bit.ly/3TpfhdL
Visit our website: americanrevolutioninstitute.org
