The important figures of Leyba and Saavedra in the American Revolution

In today's episode of Hello History, we are going to be discussing the American Revolution, 00:00:04

which lasted from 1775 to 1783, and the great participation and collaboration of Spain in 00:00:09

the United States' War of Independence. 00:00:16

By the way, did you know that Spanish help was initially motivated by their feud with 00:00:19

the British? 00:00:24

I'm your host, Sofía, and today joining us are Carlota and Teresa, discussing about 00:00:25

two Spanish men that were very influential to the American Revolution, Francisco de Saavedra 00:00:29

and Fernando de Leyva. To wrap things up and give the final conclusions, we have Maria. 00:00:34

Let's get started. Who were these men that Sofia has just introduced? Were they ordinary 00:00:39

Spanish men or extraordinary men that affected the course of the American Revolution? We 00:00:45

are Carlota and Teresa here to discuss about Fernando de Leyva and Francisco de Saavedra. 00:00:51

To do so, we have to go back a few years before the American War of Independence to 1734 00:00:56

when our dear Fernando Leiva, one of the most emblematic military men of the Spanish army, 00:01:02

was born in Ceuta. It was not until 1746 when our military officer, official and diplomat, 00:01:08

an example of an enlightened minister, Francisco Saavedra, was born in Seville. Fernando Leiva, 00:01:15

who never doubted his military passion, entered the army in 1752 and was destined to America 00:01:21

where he fought in the Seven Years' War, which lasted from 1756 to 1763, and was one of the 00:01:27

causes of the American Revolution, where he was captured and then and later released. In Francisco 00:01:34

Saavedra's early years, he studied theology and even got a master's degree, but at age 21, 00:01:41

he decided he wasn't suited for that type of life and substituted letters for weapons, 00:01:46

entering the King's Immemorial Regiment as a cadet, beginning his military career. 00:01:51

When the American Revolution in 1775 began, both participated and changed its trajectories in different ways. 00:01:55

A couple of years after the beginning of the American War of Independence, he was appointed as the 5th Council and the Universal Secretary of Indies, 00:02:03

and was in charge of drafting the document of the Regulation for Free Trade with America in 1778. 00:02:10

Not only that, but he was also in charge of drafting the extremely important document 00:02:16

that was the Declaration of War against Great Britain in 1779. 00:02:21

He continued helping until the end of the war with acts such as managing the Spanish support for the colonies, 00:02:26

isolating the British troops in the Battle of Virginia, and helping the colonies grow financially. 00:02:32

Finally, in 1788, he returned to the Iberian Peninsula as Secretary of State until he had to resign. 00:02:37

Did you know it was said he got sick because of a poisoning from Godoy? 00:02:44

He remained the last years of his life separated from society until his death in 1890. 00:02:47

Fernando de Leva was appointed in February 1771 to supply gunpowder and weapons to the indigenous people 00:02:53

to add them as allies in case they revolted against the British, as it occurred. 00:02:59

In this way, France and Spain could help defend Louisiana as well as trying to help the United States. 00:03:04

During the war, he tried to assist as much as he could to the colonists, but his health was significantly poor, and in 1718, in Missouri, died with the rank of lieutenant colonel. 00:03:12

So, to conclude this podcast about these two amazing Spanish men, it is important to acknowledge the great bravery and dedication both of them displayed in the American Revolutionary War in different areas of the conflict. 00:03:24

Fernando de Leyva helped with the management and transportation of weapons and munitions, 00:03:36

while Francisco de Saavedra collaborated with his unique manner of writing, 00:03:41

which was used in several important documents, 00:03:45

and his help with the posterior economic development of the newly independent colonies. 00:03:48

Sadly, due to the English black legend, 00:03:53

these men and many other Spanish influential heroes are not as known in society as they should be. 00:03:56

This has resulted in the production of this podcast, 00:04:02

which intends to make them known and admired globally. 00:04:05

The important figures of Leyba and Saavedra in the American Revolution - Contenido educativo

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