Who Won?
The Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was the decisive and last major battle of the American Revolution. The Continental Army succeeded in beating one of the most powerful military forces in the world and gained their independence from Britain. But it was not until 1783 that the war was considered officially over. In the few years between Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris, a couple skirmishes broke out between the colonists and the British, but nothing major.
29. A painting of soldiers from the Continental Army
Casualties
The American Revolution was not resolved without large casualties on both sides. Out of about 220,000 American service members, there were approximately 6,000 battle deaths, 17,000 disease deaths, and 10,000 imprisonment deaths, for a total of about 33,000 casualties.
About 24,000 British soldiers died from a combination of battlefield, disease, and imprisonment deaths. Additionally, about 1,200 Hessian soldiers were killed in battle, about 6,300 were killed by diseases, and 5,500 deserted the British army and settled in America after the war.
About 24,000 British soldiers died from a combination of battlefield, disease, and imprisonment deaths. Additionally, about 1,200 Hessian soldiers were killed in battle, about 6,300 were killed by diseases, and 5,500 deserted the British army and settled in America after the war.
The Treaty of Paris
The final Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3rd, 1783 by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens of the Americans and Richard Oswald of Great Britain. It officially ended the American Revolution, giving American colonists the freedom of independence.
The treaty consisted of a British recognition of American independence and the securing of American fishermen’s right of access to traditional fisheries in Canadian waters. In addition, Great Britain ceded all territory between the Allegheny Mountains on the east and the Mississippi River on the west. This new territory doubled the size of the nation.
The United States agreed to end the persecution of Loyalists and to return and restore their property and belongings confiscated during the war. Both nations agreed not to block creditors from seeking to recover debts owed to them.
The treaty consisted of a British recognition of American independence and the securing of American fishermen’s right of access to traditional fisheries in Canadian waters. In addition, Great Britain ceded all territory between the Allegheny Mountains on the east and the Mississippi River on the west. This new territory doubled the size of the nation.
The United States agreed to end the persecution of Loyalists and to return and restore their property and belongings confiscated during the war. Both nations agreed not to block creditors from seeking to recover debts owed to them.
30. A picture of the Treaty of Paris
Effect on the World
The outcome of the war was shocking for a lot of countries. Few had faith that the Americans could actually beat the British, especially at the beginning of the war. But the colonists’ fierce patriotism and determination inspired South America, who started to revolt against European rule. Also, France had their own revolution shortly after the war ended.
31. World map from the year of 1780
Unresolved Issues
At the time of the war, the colonies were united by the Articles of Confederation. These articles proved a loose hold on the colonies. The frailty of the system became even more apparent after the war ended. George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison all pushed for changes in the system after seeing major economical, political, and social problems.
First of all, the Articles of Confederation didn’t organize a central government, or create courts or decide laws. This was a very large political issue. The only thing they provided was a Congress, and even the Congress had a small amount of power; it could not pass laws for the colonies. James Madison wanted the United States to have a strong central government and the individual governments of the thirteen colonies should be second to the central government. He didn’t push the idea, however, many representatives of the colonies were reluctant to establish a central government with too much power.
Secondly, there was no money system, which was an economic issue. Most Americans still thought of money as the British currency. There was an American dollar, but it didn’t have the same value in all the colonies. In addition, there were multiple types of coins that were used, including coins from Spain, France, and other European countries.
Finally, a social issue was that even though the Treaty of Paris stated that loyalists would not longer be persecuted and all their belongings and property would be returned, many Loyalists did not believe this. As a result, about 80,000 Loyalists moved back to Great Britain.
First of all, the Articles of Confederation didn’t organize a central government, or create courts or decide laws. This was a very large political issue. The only thing they provided was a Congress, and even the Congress had a small amount of power; it could not pass laws for the colonies. James Madison wanted the United States to have a strong central government and the individual governments of the thirteen colonies should be second to the central government. He didn’t push the idea, however, many representatives of the colonies were reluctant to establish a central government with too much power.
Secondly, there was no money system, which was an economic issue. Most Americans still thought of money as the British currency. There was an American dollar, but it didn’t have the same value in all the colonies. In addition, there were multiple types of coins that were used, including coins from Spain, France, and other European countries.
Finally, a social issue was that even though the Treaty of Paris stated that loyalists would not longer be persecuted and all their belongings and property would be returned, many Loyalists did not believe this. As a result, about 80,000 Loyalists moved back to Great Britain.