From defeat-- and victory, to 1777 -- Posturing early: the Spanish lakes and South America, from 1776 -- Independence and the common foe -- Floridablanca and the policy of patience -- Duplicity in favor of the Americans, 1777 -- Antebellum anxiety, 1777-1779 -- Illinois to Guatemala: a benevolent neutrality and preparation, 1778-1779 -- Negotiations and the Spanish declaration of war -- European allies, 1779-1783 -- Central America: an integral defense, 1779-1783 -- The Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast: casting the dice -- A costly blow to British prestige, 1780-1781 -- Yorktown, the Bahamas, and peace, 1781-1783 -- Conclusions and epilogue.