Have students retrieve examples of these maps by searching on the keyword phrase early works to 1800 . Many of the maps highlight coastal features. Have students identify what resources are highlighted on the maps. Some maps include creative interpretations of unexplored territories. Students can look for examples of this uncertainty in the inaccurate size and shapes of continents and bodies of water.
Students can also see what boundaries are shown.
For additional maps of European settlement , students can browse the Title Index of the Discovery and Exploration section of Map Collections, 1544-1999 . In 1782, the British government decided to pursue peace with America to end the American Revolutionary War. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay represented America at the negotiations in Paris. To locate boundaries and settle the war, the negotiators turned to John Mitchell's 1755 map titled A map of the British and French dominions in North America . Students can view this historical map and use the following questions to gain a better understanding of the dispute, of colonization and other issues of the time.