Skip to main content

Primary sourceDocument3 September 1783

Treaty of Paris

3 September 1783

The 1783 treaty ending the Revolutionary War and recognizing American independence, negotiated and signed by Adams.

Adams was one of three American negotiators and signers who secured independence and favorable borders.

Ask John Adams about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Scan of a handwritten manuscript page headed 'Duplicate' with the calligraphic opening 'In the Name of the most Holy & undivided Trinity' and a preamble naming King George the Third and the United States of America.
Treaty of Paris, 3 September 1783. U.S. National Archives.

About this source

What it is

This is the Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, between representatives of Great Britain and the United States, held by the U.S. National Archives. It ended the American Revolutionary War and formally recognized the United States as independent.

Why it matters

John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay negotiated the treaty for the United States against established European powers, winning recognition of independence and generous boundaries for westward expansion. The treaty shows how the new nation had to prove itself on the world stage through diplomacy, not just on the battlefield.

Look closer

  • Why do you think the American negotiators signed their names in alphabetical order?
  • What does the treaty's language about 'the most Holy and undivided Trinity' tell you about the era it was written in?
  • Whose interests—Native American nations, for instance—are left out of a treaty about land and borders?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, George III, Patrick Henry, Friedrich von Steuben, Deborah Sampson and Tadeusz Kościuszko on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More John Adams sources

Meet the AI John Adams →
Scan of the engrossed Declaration of Independence on aged parchment. Heading reads 'In Congress, July 4, 1776' with the title 'The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America' below. Dense handwritten text fills the page; signatures appear at the bottom.Document

Primary source

Declaration of Independence

Continental Congress (drafted by Thomas Jefferson) · 1776

Engraved portrait print of a man in a powdered wig and dark coat with buttons, set within an ornate oval-corner frame on a pedestal. Inscription below reads John Adams, Gezant der Noord-Americaansche Staaten, in de Vereenigde Nederlanden. A draped curtain, open book, and laurel branch flank the pedestal.Painting

Primary source

Portrait of John Adams, American Diplomat

1790

Engraved print of a man in an oval frame with a laurel wreath and palm fronds, wearing a coat and cravat, standing on a pedestal inscribed with his name and title, next to an open book.Painting

Primary source

Allegorical Portrait of John Adams

1782

Engraved portrait of a man in a dark coat with a white cravat and powdered hair, seated behind a table with a sextant, a compass, and papers. Caption below names John Adams, teacher of mathematics, navigation, and etc.Painting

Primary source

Engraving of John Adams by J. T. Smith

J. T. Smith · 1795

Lithograph portrait of a man in a full-bottomed wig and dark legal-style gown with white bands at the throat, shown from the waist up, turned slightly to his left. Signature 'John Adams' below, with publisher line 'Published by Thos. McLean, 26 Haymarket' and artist credits 'H.P. Briggs Esq. R.A. Pinx' and 'W.D. Litho.'Painting

Secondary source

Engraved Portrait of John Adams Published by Thomas McLean

W.D., after H.P. Briggs

Ready when you are

Start chatting with John Adams now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions