Spain and the independence of the United States: an intrinsic gift

From defeat

and victory, to 1777

Posturing early: the Spanish lakes and South America, from 1776

Independence and the common foe

Floridablanca and the policy of patience

Duplicity in favor of the Americans, 1777

Antebellum anxiety, 1777-1779

Illinois to Guatemala: a benevolent neutrality and preparation, 1778-1779

Negotiations and the Spanish declaration of war

European allies, 1779-1783

Central America: an integral defense, 1779-1783

The Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast: casting the dice

A costly blow to British prestige, 1780-1781

Yorktown, the Bahamas, and peace, 1781-1783

Conclusions and epilogue.