How Did Spain And France Support American Independence

Spain and France supported the United States during the American Revolution. The two powers’ entrance into the American Revolution on the side of the colonists turned a civil war into an international conflict. With the aid of French forces, which had entered the conflict in 1779, the Continental Army could defeat the British forces at Yorktown, Virginia. With this success the United States got closer to the end of the War. Although the fighting ended with the surrender of General Cornwallis in October 1781, it did not formally end until 1783. “It took eight long years before the war begun at Lexington secured the independence of the colonies via the Treaty of Paris in 1783” (S. Grant 120). On September 3, 1783 the Treaty of Paris formally

It proved “one of the most instrumental publications in history and enjoy[ed] a print run of half a million copies—enormous for its day” (Fredriksen 374). It played an important role in the political history of the country. As previously mentioned, it contributed significantly to the process of American independence. “Circulated throughout the colonies, Common Sense did more than any other publication to put American public opinion squarely on the side of independence” (Kazin 143). But it would not do justice to the work if one limits its influence to American nationalism and independence. Paine had two main points: 1) gaining independence from Britain and 2) forming a democratic republic. His arguments to support the two points centered on democracy. “This seminal polemic was a fiery and effective condemnation of kings and aristocracy that took the American polity by storm” (Fredriksen 375). He advocated independence from Britain. After independence, the new nation would need a government, a political system. He even suggested the political system that the newly-freed colonies should adopt. What he proposed was a republic with a representative democracy. He condemned monarchy and aristocracy in favor of a democratic system in which people directly elected their representatives. Common Sense was an inspiring argument in favor of democracy. It rejected hereditary succession. The arguments were straightforward; he called George III “Pharaoh of England” (qtd. in Ayers et al. 146) and “royal brute” (qtd in Fredriksen 374). He highlighted the ability of the common man to rule the country. He asserted, “Of more worth is one honest man to society, and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived” (qtd. in Berkin et al.