I.

Introduction

Royal Proclamation of 1763, British proclamation that established boundaries and governments for the American colonies that Britain acquired from France and Spain after the French and Indian War (1754-1763). These colonies included Québec, Florida, and Grenada. The proclamation also set aside a vast area of territory west of the Appalachian Mountains for the indigenous peoples, historically known as Indians. The establishment of this Indian territory angered people in Britain’s 13 colonies, which later became the United States, and helped spark the American Revolution (1775-1783). In what became Canada the proclamation had a lasting impact because it recognized a legal basis for indigenous peoples owning land throughout the country. It also committed Britain, and later Canada, to negotiating treaties with the indigenous peoples to acquire the land. (see Indian Treaties in Canada)