What was the Proclamation of 1763?
Why is the Proclamation of 1763 important?
How did Britain's relationship with Native Americans change?

This video is a reading of the Proclamation of 1763.

The Royal Proclamation of 1763 by King George III accomplished several objectives. First, it outlined Great Britain's boundaries in North America following the French and Indian war. The new boundaries include the acquisition of French Quebec, Spanish Florida, and several Caribbean islands, including Grenada, the Grenadines, St. Vincent, and Tobago.

The Proclamation defines the boundaries of West Florida, East Florida, Quebec, Georgia, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia.

Second, the Proclamation of 1763 provided soldiers, sailors, and other veterans of the French and Indian War lands for their service.

Third, the Proclamation of 1763 outlined a new relationship between Britain and the Native Americans. The British realized now that they needed the support of local Indian nations in order maintain their North American Empire. The Proclamation prohibited settlement beyond the crest of the Appalachian Mountains.

This video covers the full text document of the Proclamation of 1763. This document is a critical artifact of colonial America and the future United States and Canada.

The film includes many paintings by Benjamin West, George Catlin, and John Singleton Copley.

Film by Jeffrey Meyer, historian and librarian.