Which event formally ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the United States as an independent nation?

Which event formally ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the United States as an independent nation?

• A. The signing of the Declaration of Independence
• B. The ratification of the Constitution
• C. The Treaty of Paris (1783)
• D. The adoption of the Bill of Rights

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is identifying the event that officially ends a war and acknowledges a nation's independence. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 did exactly that for the American Revolution. It was the formal peace agreement between Britain and the United States that ended hostilities and, for the first time, recognized the United States as an independent nation. It also set geographic boundaries for the new country and arranged terms about withdrawing British troops and resolving postwar issues. Why this fits best: declaring independence in 1776 started the revolution, but the fighting continued for several years. The Constitution’s ratification and the Bill of Rights came later and concerned how the new government would be structured and protected, not the war’s end or recognition of independence.

The main idea here is identifying the event that officially ends a war and acknowledges a nation's independence. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 did exactly that for the American Revolution. It was the formal peace agreement between Britain and the United States that ended hostilities and, for the first time, recognized the United States as an independent nation. It also set geographic boundaries for the new country and arranged terms about withdrawing British troops and resolving postwar issues.

Why this fits best: declaring independence in 1776 started the revolution, but the fighting continued for several years. The Constitution’s ratification and the Bill of Rights came later and concerned how the new government would be structured and protected, not the war’s end or recognition of independence.