Spain and the American Revolution: New Approaches and Perspectives

The David Center for the American Revolution at the American Philosophical Society Library & Museum is pleased to welcome Dr. Gabriel Paquette and Dr. Gonzalo M. Quintero Saravia to discuss their co-edited book Spain and the American Revolution: New Approaches and Perspectives. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Patrick Spero, Librarian and Director of the APS Library & Museum.

Though the participation of France in the American Revolution is well established in the historiography, the role of Spain, France’s ally, is relatively understudied and underappreciated. Spain's involvement in the conflict formed part of a global struggle between empires and directly influenced the outcome of the clash between Britain and its North American colonists. Following the establishment of American independence, the Spanish empire became one of the nascent republic's most significant neighbors and, often illicitly, trading partners. Bringing together essays from a range of well-regarded historians, Spain and the American Revolution: New Approaches and Perspectives contributes significantly to the international history of the Age of Atlantic Revolutions. 

Spain and the American Revolution: New Approaches and Perspectives is based on the papers that were presented at the 2018 SAR Annual Conference on the American Revolution, which took place at The Johns Hopkins University in June 2018. 

This event will take place on Wednesday, May 13 at 1:00 p.m. EDT via Zoom. Registration is free; please register online to attend.

The event will also include a book giveaway; winners will receive their books after the APS reopens. Tune into the program to find out more!

About the Editors

Gabriel Paquette is Professor of History and International Studies at the University of Oregon. He was Sons of the American Revolution Visiting Professor at King’s College London in 2017–2018.

Gonzalo M. Quintero Saravia, a senior Spanish diplomat, is author of Bernardo de Gálvez: Spanish Hero of the American Revolution, which recently won the Society for Military History’s Best Book Prize.

This event is co-sponsored by the Sons of the American Revolution. The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is a non-profit, patriotic and educational organization, formed in 1889, and chartered by the United States Congress in 1906. This Congressional Charter was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a member of the SAR.