How France & Spain Helped Win the American Revolution

When we think of the American Revolution, it’s easy to focus on famous battles like Saratoga or Yorktown, iconic leaders like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence. But International alliances—especially with France and Spain—played a critical role in securing the United States’ independence.

John Ferling, Professor Emeritus of History at West Georgia University, joins us to explore the American Revolution’s global dimensions. Drawing from his new book, Shots Heard Round the World: America, Britain, and Europe in the Revolutionary War, Ferling reveals how European rivalries, diplomacy, and behind-the-scenes decisions influenced the war’s outcome and nearly derailed the American cause more than once.