The Treaty of Paris, also known as…
1763 CE
The signing of the treaty formally ends the Seven Years' War, known as the French and Indian War in the North American theater, and marks the beginning of an era of British dominance outside Europe.
Great Britain and France each return much of the territory that they had captured during the war, but Great Britain gains much of France's possessions in North America.
Additionally, Great Britain agrees to protect Roman Catholicism in the New World.
The treaty does not involve Prussia and Austria as they sign a separate agreement, the Treaty of Hubertusburg, five days later.
Britain holds a dominant position at the negotiations, as they have during the last seven years seized Canada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Dominica, Pondicherry, Senegal, and Belle Île from the French and Havana and Manila from the Spanish.
Only one British territory, Minorca, is in enemy hands.
Despite suffering a year of defeats, Spain is prepared to fight on—something that their French allies are opposed to.
Bute proposes a suggestion that France cede her remaining North American territory of Louisiana to Spain to compensate Madrid for its losses during the war.
This formula is acceptable to the Spanish government, and allows Britain and France to negotiate with more legroom.
France and Spain both consider the treaty that ends the war as being closer to a temporary armistice rather than a genuine final settlement, and William Pitt describes it as an "armed truce".
Britain has customarily massively reduced the size of its armed forces during peace time, but during the 1760s a large military establishment will be maintained—intended as a deterrent against France and Spain.
Locations
People
Groups
Cuba (Spanish Colony)
View →
New France (French Colony)
View →
Philippines, Spanish colony of the
View →
Spanish East Indies
View →
France, (Bourbon) Kingdom of
View →
Spain, Bourbon Kingdom of
View →
Britain, Kingdom of Great
View →
Dominica (French colony)
View →
Louisiana (New France)
View →
India, East India Company rule in
View →
India, French
View →
Guadeloupe, (English colony)
View →
Martinique, (English colony)
View →
Louisiana (British colony)
View →
Topics
Colonization of the Americas, Spanish
View →
Colonization of Asia, Spanish
View →
Colonization of Asia, French
View →
Colonization of the Americas, French
View →
Colonization of Asia, British
View →
Colonization of the Americas, British
View →
Seven Years' War
View →
Carnatic War, Third
View →
Fantastic War
View →
Anglo-Spanish War (1762–1763)
View →