In England, Prime Minister Lord North fell from power in the wake of Yorktown (Fall 1781) and was replaced by the Marquess of Rockingham, a figure dedicated to concluding peace with the Americans.
Early negotiations were slowed by diplomatic maneuvering, particularly with Britain attempting to isolate American issues from French ones. The American representatives were under instructions to act jointly with France, but they soon opened separate secret talks with the British. An accord (the Treaty of Paris) was reached between England and the former colony, but implementation was delayed until the other European powers came to terms with Britain.