Border Treaties
 The boundaries between Maine and maritime Canada had been in dispute
ever since the Revolution. The United States and Great Britain both claimed
the northern borderlands of Maine and New Brunswick, and at issue were
the rich forestlands that provided economic resources and jobs for people
of both countries.
These four treaties are result of nearly fifty years of conflict and
negotiation between the United States and Great Britain over the northeastern
boundaries that divided Maine and Canada. They ended the last armed conflicts
on Maine soil and created the shape of Maine as we know it today.
Treaty of Paris. 1783.
Marking the end of the American War for Independence, the Treaty of Paris recognized the United States as an independent nation and established national boundaries.
For the text of the 1783 Treaty of Paris, see: http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/britian/paris.htm.
Or
For more information and a portrait of the treaty signers go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Paris_(1783).
Jay’s Treaty. 1794-95
“
Britain seized American ships, forcing American sailors to serve in England's
war against France. The United States, for her part, passed navigation
laws that were potentially damaging to Great Britain.”
Named for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Jay (1745-1829). Jay
was sent to England to negotiate a treaty.
Key tenets:
1. The withdrawal of British soldiers from posts in the American West
2. A commission to be established to settle outstanding border issues
between the U.S. and Canada
3. A commission to be established to resolve American losses in British
ship seizures and Loyalist losses during the War for Independence
For more information see:
http://earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/jaytreaty/
or
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h455.html
Treaty of Ghent. 1814.
The treaty ending the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States was signed at Ghent (Belgium), December 24, 1814. Nothing was conceded by either side and neither side lost land or possessions. Essentially both countries agreed to abide by terms that had existed before the war despite having suffered economic losses and the loss of life on both sides.
For more information and the text of the treaty see:
http://idloa.org/pages/ghent.html
or
http://www.galafilm.com/1812/e/events/ghent.html
Treaty of Washington (Webster Ashburton Treaty). 1842
This treaty addressed the geographic borders between the United States
and Great Britain, and in Maine it finalized the northeast boundary between
Maine and New Brunswick, Canada.
To read the text of the treaty go to:
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/britian/br-1842.htm.
A YOUNG SOLDIERS ACCOUNT OF THE AROOSTOOK
WAR | BORDER TREATIES
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