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

An Intrinsic Gift

Thomas E. Chávez

• Publisher: UNM Press
• Year: 2002
• Print ISBN: 9780826327949
• eBook ISBN: 9780826327956
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Early American History
• Index: History

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.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half title
• 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