When Did America Gain Independence?

American eagle
The United States celebrates Independence Day on July 4th.
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Sources

  1. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration
    The National Archives provides authoritative information on the Declaration of Independence, including its drafting, adoption, and significance, which directly supports the post's discussion of the document's role in declaring independence.
  2. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1776-1783/treaty
    The U.S. Department of State's Office of the Historian offers a detailed account of the Treaty of Paris (1783), including its negotiation, terms, and ratification, which is crucial for understanding when and how independence was formally recognized.
  3. https://www.britannica.com/event/American-Revolution
    Encyclopaedia Britannica provides a comprehensive overview of the American Revolution, including key events like the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris, helping to contextualize the timeline of independence.
  4. https://www.loc.gov/collections/continental-congress-and-constitutional-convention-from-1774-to-1789/articles-and-essays/timeline/1776-to-1783/
    The Library of Congress offers a detailed timeline of events from 1776 to 1783, including the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris, which aligns with the post's exploration of different dates for independence.
  5. https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/treaty-of-paris-1783/
    The George Washington Presidential Library provides an in-depth look at the Treaty of Paris (1783), including its ratification and impact, which supports the post's argument about the formal recognition of independence.

Key Points

  • America's independence is commonly associated with July 4, 1776, the date of the Declaration of Independence, but the actual achievement of independence was a longer process.
  • The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776, but the Revolutionary War continued for years afterward.
  • The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, marked the formal recognition of American independence by Great Britain.
  • King George III ratified the Treaty of Paris on April 9, 1784, which some argue is the true date of full independence.
  • The Treaty of Paris not only recognized the thirteen colonies as independent states but also allowed the U.S. to expand westward.
  • The U.S. Constitution was not created until 1787, and George Washington became the first President in 1789, showing the gradual establishment of the new nation.
  • Independence Day is celebrated on July 4 to honor the Declaration of Independence, despite other significant dates in the independence process.
  • The distinction between declaring independence and achieving it highlights the complexity of the historical process.

Summary

While July 4, 1776, is celebrated as Independence Day—marking the adoption of the Declaration of Independence—America's true independence was only secured years later. The Treaty of Paris (1783) and its ratification by King George III (1784) formally ended British rule, making these dates more accurate milestones. Nevertheless, July 4 remains the symbolic and federally recognized day of independence, honoring the nation's declaration of freedom.

One of the most celebrated moments in American history is the victory over the British in the War of Independence, which ultimately led to the United States is recognized as a free nation.

There is even an annual federal holiday to celebrate that momentous achievement. But when did America gain independence, and why might the answer be much later than Independence Day?

When did America gain independence?

There is no straight answer. July 4th, 1776, is the common answer, as this is Independence Day. Some may say August 2nd in that same year is the correct answer as the actual signing of the Declaration of Independence. A more appropriate answer might be September 3rd, 1783, the date of signing the Treaty of Paris. But, is it more accurate to say the date of King George III’s ratification of that treaty in 1784? 

Why Are There Different Answers?

There is an important difference between declaring independence and achieving it, so you often see those two very separate answers to this question. America couldn’t just say that this was now the new order of things without the agreement of the British Empire that claimed ownership of the land.

Carlisle Barracks
The Revolutionary War continued long after the Declaration of Independence.

The common answer of July 4th, 1776, is understandable because this was when the nation adopted the Declaration of Independence. Therefore, this is when America saw itself as a free nation and made its intentions clear. As this is the date of Independence Day and a federal holiday, it is easy to see why people feel that this was when the nation gained independence.

However, the Revolutionary War didn’t end at the moment that Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. Neither did Britain concede their colonies at that stage. Besides, there was a long process for the document to be made official after the initial declaration.

The events between July 2nd and August 2nd were catalysts for continuing and winning the Revolutionary War. Independence wasn’t recognized in full until many years later with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Even then, do we take the date of the signing of the treaty as the moment of independence or the later date of ratification by the King?

The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was drafted and adopted between June and August of 1776. On June 11th, a group of men formed a committee in charge of writing the declaration. Thomas Jefferson was primarily responsible for writing the initial draft, but John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston were also involved.

Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson authored the Declaration of Independence.

After a series of edits, Congress declared independence on July 2nd and adopted the declaration on the 4th. In July, an engrossed version was ordered to be officially signed.

The official moment of adopting the Declaration of Independence wasn’t the beginning and end of proceedings. This was when Congress declared its intentions and set the process in motion. America wanted its freedom and saw itself as an independent nation on principle. But, the British still had to concede their territories, and the American Revolution remained in full swing.

The War of Independence

The war continued for many more years until the Treaty of Paris in 1783. It was also a significant period before the independent nation established itself with a better form of government and clearly delineated territories. The Constitution wasn’t created until 1787 to address the failings of the Articles of Confederation, and the first President of the United States wasn’t sworn in until 1789. 

The Treaty of Paris 1783

The Treaty of Paris was a pivotal moment in the development of the United States in many ways. Most importantly, it was the moment that Great Britain finally agreed to end the war and concede that America was a truly free and independent nation. But, there were other important details regarding the territories of mainland America and the setting of borders for the United States. From this point, the country was free to govern and develop as it saw fit.

Eiffel Tower
The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783 and ratified by King George III the following year.

The Treaty of Paris was signed by delegates from the United States and those acting on behalf of the King. John Adams, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin represented America. Franklin had been a leading diplomat in France, and all three were involved in the independence movement. After negotiations, the document was signed on September 3rd, 1783.

What Did the Treaty Guarantee?

There were two main issues dealt with by the Treaty of Paris. The first was that Britain would recognize the thirteen colonies of America as free and independent states. This reinforces the idea that independence wasn’t a reality until that date. The other was that the United States was free to expand west from its current border. The treaty also detailed other clauses concerning borders, debts, and more.

The Ratification of the Treaty of Paris

The Treaty of Paris was not completely official until the King of England ratified the document. Only then could there be a clear line drawn between British rule and full American independence. Frustratingly for all those involved, the monarch stalled.

There had been a deadline in place so that everything would be tied up in a reasonable time. Congress ratified on January 14th, 1784, another symbolic date on that side of the Atlantic. But, it wasn’t until five weeks after this deadline, on April 9th, 1784, that King George III finally signed. 

Therefore, we could see that the official date that America gained independence was not until nearly eight years after adopting the Declaration of Independence.

July 4th Is Now Independence Day and a National Holiday.

Regardless of when the United States gained independence in full from Great Britain, Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th. There are arguments to be made for September 3rd because of the Treaty of Paris or for August 2nd, to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Yet, July 4th is seen as the most appropriate time to celebrate the birth of the free nation, as this was when the country made the all-important declaration that would change the course of its history. 

When Did America Gain Independence? Quiz

What event is celebrated annually on July 4th in the United States?
Who was primarily responsible for writing the initial draft of the Declaration of Independence?
When was the U.S. Constitution created?
What was one of the main issues dealt with by the Treaty of Paris?
What is the commonly accepted date for America's Independence Day?
When was the Treaty of Paris signed?
Which of the following was NOT a member of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence?
When was the first President of the United States sworn in?
When did King George III ratify the Treaty of Paris?
Who represented America in signing the Treaty of Paris?

Frequently Asked Questions

When did America gain independence?

There are multiple dates associated with America's independence. July 4th, 1776, is celebrated as Independence Day, marking the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. However, the Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3rd, 1783, is when Britain officially recognized the United States as a free nation. Some also consider April 9th, 1784, when King George III ratified the treaty, as the final date of independence.

Why are there different answers to when America gained independence?

The different answers stem from the distinction between declaring independence and achieving it. July 4th, 1776, marks the Declaration of Independence, while September 3rd, 1783, signifies the Treaty of Paris, where Britain formally recognized U.S. independence. Additionally, King George III's ratification in 1784 is another milestone. The varying dates reflect the stages of the process from declaration to official recognition.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Paris in 1783?

The Treaty of Paris was pivotal as it officially ended the Revolutionary War and recognized the United States as an independent nation. It also established territorial boundaries, granted the U.S. rights to expand westward, and addressed other issues like debts and prisoner releases. The treaty marked the moment Britain conceded American independence.

Why is July 4th celebrated as Independence Day instead of other dates?

July 4th is celebrated as Independence Day because it commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, symbolizing the nation's resolve to break free from British rule. While other dates, like the Treaty of Paris signing or its ratification, mark formal recognition, July 4th represents the foundational moment of America's quest for freedom.

Who were the key figures involved in drafting the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, with contributions from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. These men formed the committee tasked with drafting the document, which was adopted by Congress on July 4th, 1776.

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