1763: A Revolutionary Peace
Britain’s original signed copy of the 1763 Treaty of Paris, which forever redrew the geo-political boundaries of European North America, is the featured object of the exhibition at the Old State House, and has never been seen on the North America continent until now.
For much of the mid eighteenth-century Britain fought its rivals France and Spain in a global contest for commerce and colonies, the most notable of these struggles culminating in the Seven Years (or French and Indian War).
On the 10th of February, 1763, the Treaty of Paris was signed, putting an end to the seven year war.
Celebratory fireworks exploded in the night sky over London and Paris.
Here in Boston, a great crowd gathered beneath the balcony of the Old State House to hear peace officially proclaimed.
The Paris treaty of 1763 literally redrew the map of North America, giving Britain all lands east of the Mississippi River, including Spanish Florida.
Lands west of the Mississippi (and New Orleans) remained French, but because France had secretly transferred those claims to its ally Spain, the treaty effectively ended France’s presence on the continent’s mainland.
Britain had won the war, but now faced complex challenges in integrating new territories, peoples (including Native nations and French inhabitants), and governments into the new order.
Even as the Treaty of Paris promised the start of a new era of peace and prosperity, it also sowed seeds of discontent from which a new crisis in the British Empire would soon grow.
Belonging to the British United Kingdom, the Treaty on display at the Old State House is one of three manuscript treaty texts signed by representatives of Britain, France, and Spain.
Other objects featured in this exhibition include weapons and artifacts from the Seven Years War, medals marking peace between the British Crown and formerly French-allied First Nations, and a Native American wampum treaty belt.
This special exclusive exhibition is on view at the Old State House May 25 through October 7, 2013.
| COST | ↑ top |
Adults $8.50 | Children 18 & under FREE (courtesy of John Hancock Financial)
| WEBSITE | ↑ top |
www.revolutionaryboston.org/revboston/visit/
| LOCATION | ↑ top |
206 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02109 map
Phone: 617-720-1713
206 Washington Street, Boston (at State Street T stop on Orange and Blue lines)
| RELATED LINKS | ↑ top |
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