Britain’s Spanish Ulcer

Without the aid of Spain, France and the Netherlands, could the American colonies have won the Revolutionary War? Britain’s Spanish Ulcer explores, first, the financial and materiel support to the Americans from Britain’s European enemies, their revenge for their defeat in the Seven Years War; and secondly the active military campaigns from the Gulf of Mexico to Nicaragua. This constant call on the resources of the Royal Navy and the British Army seriously weakened the main theatre of war. This Spanish Ulcer, leading to the loss of the fortress of Pensacola was the second heavy blow to the British after Saratoga and, with the third blow, the loss of Yorktown, fatally undermined political will in Britain to continue the fight.