What happened to land in America after the Revolutionary War?
History · Middle School · Mon Jan 18 2021
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After the Revolutionary War, which was fought from 1775 to 1783, the land in America underwent significant changes, reflecting the nation's newfound independence and the need to establish a stable government and society. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 formally ended the war and established the United States as an independent nation. As a result of this treaty:
1. British recognition of American independence: Great Britain recognized the sovereignty of the United States, which comprised the area east of the Mississippi River between Canada and Florida.
2. Western territories: Land west of the original colonies was ceded by Britain to the United States. This territory would later become the subject of westward expansion and eventually form new states.
3. Land distribution and ownership: Land that had been controlled by the British Crown was now in the hands of the American government. Some of this land was sold to settlers, while other portions were given to soldiers as payment for their service in the war.
4. Native American lands: The treaty did not fully address the status of Native American lands. Over time, westward expansion led to the displacement of Native American tribes and the acquisition of their lands by the U.S. government and settlers.
5. States' claims to western lands: Some states had claimed lands west of the Appalachian Mountains prior to and during the Revolutionary War. After the war, these claims were ceded to the federal government to establish a public domain from which new states could be organized. This cession was important for the creation of the Northwest Territory, which later established a precedent for how the United States would expand.
6. Establishment of public institutions: The new government used some of the land to create public institutions such as schools and universities, an example of this being the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 which laid the groundwork for the orderly expansion and admission of new states.