The last British troops left America on 25 November 1782. On 30 November 1782, the British and Americans signed the Treaty of Paris. The British recognized the independence of the United States. In addition, the British transferred the land south of the Great Lakes to the United States. This included all the territory between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River.
The treaty would come into effect once the war between Britain and the Franco-Spanish alliance was concluded. On 20 January 1783, the British, French, and Spanish signed the Treaty of Versailles. All hostilities were to cease 4 February. The American Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris on 15 April 1783.