Spain and the Independence of the United States: An Intrinsic Gift : An Intrinsic Gift

The role of Spain in the birth of the United States is a little known and little understood aspect of U.S. independence. Through actual fighting, provision of supplies, and money, Spain helped the young British colonies succeed in becoming an independent nation. Soldiers were recruited from all over the Spanish empire, from Spain itself and from throughout Spanish America. Many died fighting British soldiers and their allies in Central America, the Caribbean, along the Mississippi River from New Orleans to St. Louis and as far north as Michigan, along the Gulf Coast to Mobile and Pensacola, as well as in Europe. Based on primary research in the archives of Spain, this book is about United States history at its very inception, placing the war in its broadest international context. In short, the information in this book should provide a clearer understanding of the independence of the United States, correct a longstanding omission in its history, and enrich its patrimony. It will appeal to anyone interested in the history of the Revolutionary War and in Spain's role in the development of the Americas.

The role of Spain in the birth of the United States is a little known and little understood aspect of U.S. independence. Through actual fighting, provision of supplies, and money, Spain helped the young British colonies succeed in becoming an independent nation. Soldiers were recruited from all over the Spanish empire, from Spain itself and from throughout Spanish America. Many died fighting British soldiers and their allies in Central America, the Caribbean, along the Mississippi River from New Orleans to St. Louis and as far north as Michigan, along the Gulf Coast to Mobile and Pensacola, as well as in Europe.

Based on primary research in the archives of Spain, this book is about United States history at its very inception, placing the war in its broadest international context. In short, the information in this book should provide a clearer understanding of the independence of the United States, correct a longstanding omission in its history, and enrich its patrimony. It will appeal to anyone interested in the history of the Revolutionary War and in Spain's role in the development of the Americas.

Cover SPAIN AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES Title Copyright Dedication CONTENTS PREFACE INTRODUCTION ONE | From Defeat . . . and Victory, to 1777 TWO | Posturing Early: The Spanish Lakes and South America, from 1776 THREE | Independence and the Common Foe FOUR | Floridablanca and the Policy of Patience FIVE | Duplicity in Favor of the Americans, 1777 SIX | Antebellum Anxiety, 1777–1779 SEVEN | Illinois to Guatemala: A Benevolent Neutrality and Preparation, 1778–1779 EIGHT | Negotiations and the Spanish Declaration of War NINE | European Allies, 1779–1783 TEN | Central America: An Integral Defense, 1779–1783 ELEVEN | The Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast—Casting the Dice TWELVE | A Costly Blow to British Prestige, 1780–1781 THIRTEEN | Yorktown, the Bahamas, and Peace, 1781–1783 CONCLUSIONS AND EPILOGUE APPENDICES NOTES SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX PLATES