American Revolutions: A Continental History, 1750-1804

Taylor details the critical yet complex alliance between the fledgling United States and European powers, primarily France and Spain, during the Revolutionary War. Because the Patriots lacked the industrial capacity to produce arms, ammunition, and uniforms, they were heavily dependent on European imports to sustain their military efforts. Further, the absence of hard currency led them to seek credit from European governments and bankers, illustrating a paradoxical shift from seeking independence to relying on interdependence with foreign allies.

The chapter highlights the ideological and practical challenges the Continental Congress faced in forming alliances. Despite their need for military and financial support, many Congress members and Patriots were wary of forging ties with France and Spain. The historical disdain for the absolutist regimes and Catholic faith of these European powers contrasted sharply with the independence and virtue the Patriots aspired to embody. Nonetheless, the dire circumstances following Patriot defeats in 1776 forced Congress to compromise, accepting the dominance of French and Spanish forces in the Caribbean in exchange for crucial support.

Taylor explores the strategic and diplomatic maneuvering that characterized the alliance process. The “Model Treaty of Amity and Commerce,” drafted by John Adams, embodied the American desire for recognition of their territorial claims and support against the British without entangling obligations.