Introduction / Context:
After years of fighting between the American colonies and Britain, the American Revolutionary War came to an end with negotiations and a final peace settlement. The question asks about the year in which England, representing the British government, formally acknowledged the independence of the United States. This date is important because it marks the international recognition of the new nation as a sovereign state and appears frequently in general knowledge and history examinations.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question relates to the end of the American Revolutionary War.
- It focuses on the formal acknowledgement of American independence by England.
- The options list years in the early 1780s, when the war and peace negotiations took place.
- The learner is expected to recall the date of the Treaty of Paris that concluded the conflict.
Concept / Approach:
The American Revolutionary War effectively ended with the surrender of British forces at Yorktown in 1781, but formal peace took longer to finalise. The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783, is the document in which Britain recognised the independence of the United States and agreed to new boundaries. This treaty is the legal instrument by which England acknowledged American independence. Therefore, the correct year to choose is 1783, not earlier or later years associated with preliminary arrangements or subsequent developments.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that major fighting in the American Revolutionary War ended around 1781 with Yorktown.
2. Understand that peace treaties often follow some time after the conclusion of major battles.
3. Remember that the Treaty of Paris, which formally recognised American independence, was signed in 1783.
4. Examine the options and identify 1783 as the year that matches the signing of this treaty.
5. Eliminate 1782 as too early for the final treaty, and 1784 and 1785 as post treaty years, then select 1783.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, learners can recall how history textbooks often summarise the war as lasting from 1775 to 1783, with 1783 highlighted as the year of the Treaty of Paris. They also typically mention that this treaty marks the moment when Britain recognised the United States as independent. Years such as 1782 may have seen preliminary negotiations, but the final and most widely cited treaty came in 1783. Because objective exams usually use the year of the formal treaty, the choice of 1783 is confirmed as correct.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1782 may have involved preliminary discussions or informal arrangements, but the formal Treaty of Paris that recognised independence is dated 1783.
1784 comes after the treaty and does not represent the year of acknowledgement itself, even though various follow up measures occurred then.
1785 is even further removed from the event and is not cited as the year when independence was recognised.
1778 falls in the middle of the war and is related to other diplomatic moves, such as alliances, but not to Britain formal recognition of American independence.
Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse the date of the last major battle with the date of the final peace treaty and may incorrectly pick 1781 or 1782 if such dates are offered. Others may simply know that the war ended in the early 1780s and guess among the options without recalling 1783 specifically. To avoid these issues, it is helpful to connect 1783 firmly with the Treaty of Paris and to remember that this is the year when Britain formally acknowledged the independence of the United States. This clear association supports accurate answers in many exam questions about the end of the American Revolution.
Final Answer:
The correct answer is
1783.
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