United States of America, 1783 | State Historical Society of Iowa

This 1783 map shows the boundaries of the United States as settled by the Treaty of Paris after the Revolutionary War.

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Fielding, John, "A map of the United States of America, as settled by the peace of 1783," 1783

Description

This 1783 map shows the boundaries of the United States as settled by the Treaty of Paris after the Revolutionary War. The map distinctly shows the territory of Louisiana to the west of the United States, separated from the United States by the Mississippi River. One of the forts captured by Clark, Cahokia, is shown clearly on the map.

Source-Dependent Questions

Observe the boundaries of the states as they are drawn on this map. Compare them to the boundaries and how they are drawn on a map distinguishing the British and French dominions in North America. What differences and/or similarities do you notice?
At the end of the Revolutionary War, the United States was in possession of the fort at Cahokia (spelled Cahokies on the map). You are one of the representatives negotiating a treaty to end the war. Construct an argument you could make to persuade the British to give up their claims to the land on the Mississippi.

Citation Information

Fielding, John, "A map of the United States of America, as settled by the peace of 1783," 1783. Courtesy of Library of Congress