1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:11,560 In North America in the 18th century, 13 colonies are rebelling against the most powerful empire of the time, Great Britain. 2 00:00:11,980 --> 00:00:15,939 The war has begun, and leading the rebel army is George Washington. 3 00:00:16,519 --> 00:00:19,559 But there is something that is almost never mentioned in this story. 4 00:00:20,039 --> 00:00:24,600 While the colonies were fighting for independence in the American Revolutionary War, 5 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:28,339 another country was helping from the shadows, Spain. 6 00:00:28,699 --> 00:00:31,920 Which is exactly what we are talking about today. 7 00:00:32,100 --> 00:00:36,479 Welcome back to Hidden History, episode 3. 8 00:00:39,119 --> 00:00:42,820 Episode 1, Spain's secret role in the American Revolution. 9 00:00:43,500 --> 00:00:50,420 And today, we have the chance to talk with two Spanish figures who played an important role in this history. 10 00:00:51,060 --> 00:00:57,500 So, to start with, we're here with Bernardo de Galvez, the Spanish governor of Louisiana. 11 00:00:58,219 --> 00:01:03,719 Governor Galvez, could you tell us what was happening in America at that time? 12 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:08,819 Sure. Britain controlled many territories in America and the colonies were rebelling. 13 00:01:09,379 --> 00:01:14,939 Spain saw this as a chance to weaken Britain and also protect its own interests in the region. 14 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:20,140 That's really interesting. And why exactly did Spain decide to support the colonies? 15 00:01:20,799 --> 00:01:27,159 Well, Spain wanted to reduce British power and maybe even recover territories like Florida 16 00:01:27,159 --> 00:01:34,379 that we had lost before, so helping the rebels wasn't just generosity, it was a smart move 17 00:01:34,379 --> 00:01:42,680 for Spain too. Right, so it wasn't just about sending supplies. You also led attacks against 18 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:48,920 the British, didn't you? Yes, that's right. We organized campaigns in the Gulf of Mexico and 19 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:55,500 captured key cities like Baton Rouge and Mobile. It was challenging, but this victory really helped 20 00:01:55,500 --> 00:02:05,239 the american cause wow and the most famous batter was pensacola wasn't it exactly in 1781 we attacked 21 00:02:05,239 --> 00:02:12,520 pensacola which was the strongest british base in the region it was a very solid effect but we 22 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:18,759 won't which removed the british from west florida and prevented them from treating the southern 23 00:02:18,759 --> 00:02:22,759 That must have made a big difference. 24 00:02:22,759 --> 00:02:33,759 Israel did. Even if we weren't directly working with Washington, our action supported his army by weakening the British on another front. 25 00:02:33,759 --> 00:02:37,759 Now we're talking to Luís de Hunzaga. 26 00:02:37,759 --> 00:02:43,759 For Galvez, Governor Hunzaga, your help was more secret at first, right? 27 00:02:43,759 --> 00:02:50,099 Yes, that's right. Before Spain officially entered the war, we helped the colonies quickly. 28 00:02:50,099 --> 00:02:55,939 We sent weapons, gunpowder, medicine and even money. It was all done carefully, because 29 00:02:55,939 --> 00:02:59,219 we didn't want Britain to notice too soon. 30 00:02:59,219 --> 00:03:05,919 I see. And why did Spain decide to help secretly, instead of joining the war immediately? 31 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:11,379 Spain wasn't ready for a full war yet. Helping secretly was a way to weaken Britain and support 32 00:03:11,379 --> 00:03:18,979 American rebels without taking too much risk. That makes sense. So these supplies 33 00:03:18,979 --> 00:03:24,699 will really help the American army? Absolutely. The Continental Army was 34 00:03:24,699 --> 00:03:29,319 short on almost everything, so our support made a real difference. Even 35 00:03:29,319 --> 00:03:35,879 small shipments could change the outcome of a battle. And then when did Spain 36 00:03:35,879 --> 00:03:44,349 finally enter the war officially? In 1779 we declared war on Britain and started 37 00:03:44,349 --> 00:03:51,069 military actions openly by that time the groundwork was already set and our previously 38 00:03:51,069 --> 00:03:58,330 support had already helped the american cause a lot so the next time you hear about the independence 39 00:03:58,330 --> 00:04:04,669 of united states remember that it was not an american story it was also an international 40 00:04:04,669 --> 00:04:11,550 story in which spain and figures like bernardo de galvez and with the unzaga played an important 41 00:04:11,550 --> 00:04:13,270 world. Thanks for listening. 42 00:04:13,449 --> 00:04:15,009 I will see you in the next episode.