Which document formally ended the American Revolutionary War?

The Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolutionary War by officially acknowledging the independence of the United States from British rule. Signed in 1783, this treaty marked the conclusion of years of conflict and diplomatic negotiations that began with the outbreak of hostilities in 1775. It provided not only recognition of the sovereignty of the United States but also established the boundaries of the new nation, delineating territorial claims and the rights of both parties.

The Declaration of Independence, although a significant and foundational document asserting the colonies’ desire to break from British rule, was adopted in 1776 and served as a catalyst for the war rather than its conclusion. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document for the new United States, created during the war's interim period, but they did not serve as a peace treaty. Similarly, the Bill of Rights, which outlines individual rights and liberties, was ratified in 1791 and is unrelated to the cessation of hostilities in the Revolutionary War. Thus, the Treaty of Paris stands out as the definitive conclusion to the conflict, solidifying the efforts of the revolutionaries and paving the way for the establishment of the United States as an independent nation.