Treaty of Paris - February 10, 1763

Overview

• Signed by: Great Britain, France, Spain, and Portugal
• Ended the Seven Years' War

Territorial Changes

Britain Gains

• America:
  • All of Canada
  • Islands and Gulf Coast of the St. Lawrence River
  • Territory east of the Mississippi
  • Florida
  • Pensacola Bay
  • West Indies: Dominica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tobago
• Africa:
  • Gambia River
• India:
  • Sovereignty in Dakan and Carnatic region
• Europe:
  • Island of Menorca

France Concessions

• Renounced claims on Nova Scotia
• Retained: Islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, fishing rights in Newfoundland
• Recovered: Antilles islands of Guadalupe, Martinique, Saint Lucia
• India: Five factories (non-fortified) in Bengal, Coromandel coast, Malabar coast
• Withdrew from Hesse, Brunswick, and Hanover

Spain Gains

• Recovered: Cuba and Philippines
• Obtained: Western Louisiana
• Compensation from France for loss of Florida

Portugal

• Preserved the Colonia del Sacramento (today in Uruguay)

Outcomes and Impact

• Britain: Clear beneficiary, established as a new power with overseas possessions
• France: Major loser, began maritime and colonial decline but retained essential commercial enclaves
• Oriented foreign relations to consolidate alliance with Spain
• Prussia: Defeated Habsburgs, reaffirmed military power, put other countries on alert
• Spain: No longer a concern for London
• Austria and Prussia: Felt like pawns of major powers
• Russia: Did not participate in treaty; solidified diplomatic position
• Anglo-French commitment to avoid aiding European allies removed them from continental disputes; diplomacy led by Austria, Russia, and Prussia
• Shift of international interest to the East due to issues like Polish situation, German disputes, and Eastern problems

Conclusion

• Treaty marked the rise of Britain as a hegemonic nation, especially at sea
• Economic clauses had more impact for France than territorial losses
• Western powers stopped directing continental events; Eastern states did not intervene in colonies

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