The First Salute to America

For a fledgling nation fighting for its survival, any recognition of its sovereignty—however small and symbolic—becomes an important confirmation of its independence. And not surprisingly, for those who oppose that nascent nation’s independence, those very same gestures are viewed as potentially perilous steps toward full diplomatic recognition. That principle played out throughout the American Revolution. […]

The Dutch Dilemma: Supporting the American Revolution

Introduction “Neutrality is emerging out of that. And in fact… what the Dutch want more than anything is to trade with the British and trade with the Americans.” Watch this segment in the video below (47:24)  The Dutch claimed to be neutral. But were they really? Could a country claim neutrality while smuggling tea, gunpowder, […]

India and the Global Forces Behind the British Defeat at Yorktown

In Analyzing American Revolution, the global nature of the Revolutionary War has become an inescapable theme. As you will see in the examples below, many of our guest scholars reference and discuss how the fighting in the Thirteen American Colonies transformed into a truly world-spanning conflict. It should therefore come as no surprise that Britain’s […]