Soon after the Declaration of Independence, the Second Continental Congress requested financial, diplomatic, and military support from Spain. Acknowledging that his country was ill-prepared to fight the British, the King of Spain refused to declare war on Great Britain but committed to providing covert assistance to the Continental Army. The secret aid bought Spain time for the likely future conflict against the British while it also helped sustain the American cause. It was in this context when Bernardo de Gálvez arrived in Louisiana in late 1776. Gálvez was initially appointed colonel of the infantry regiment in New Orleans, and later governor of the province and military commander of the region. To prepare Louisiana for the probable conflict against the British and shape the operational environment, Gálvez developed a comprehensive approach involving all the instruments of national power. Instead of using the military to impose his will on the population, Gálvez applied an ingenious use of diplomacy that captivated Louisiana's inhabitants shortly after his arrival. He used various methods to gather intelligence in peacetime that he would exploit later, once the conflict started. Regarding the economy, Gálvez successfully channeled most of Spain's covert financial and logistical support to the American rebels. As for the military, the forces he inherited were not enough to defend Louisiana, let alone begin an offensive. Consequently, he developed a transformation model involving the army, navy, and militias that completely changed his capabilities. In April 1779, Spain and France signed a bilateral agreement to support each other fighting Britain: the Treaty of Aranjuez. Shortly thereafter, Spain declared war on Great Britain. The Treaty of Aranjuez detailed each of Spain's objectives in the war, including three direct orders for Bernardo de Gálvez: conquer the river and fort of Mobile, take Pensacola, and recover West and East Florida. As soon as Spain declared war, Gálvez started a successful offensive campaign. Before the British forces on the Mississippi River's left bank could learn about the declaration of war, Gálvez had captured the British forts of Manchac, Baton Rouge, and Natchez, thus securing his rear area. After that, Gálvez raised a joint and multinational force that, in May 1781, conquered the defenses of Mobile and Pensacola. The last of the objectives, Florida, returned to Spain during the peace negotiations. This monograph examines Gálvez's relationship with the political authorities, his employment of the instruments of national power to shape the operational environment, and his ability to get support from the local population. It also analyzes his military campaign, the challenges he faced related to the command of joint and multinational forces, and his leader attributes and competencies on the battlefield. In doing so, this essay reminds readers of an often forgotten and crucial part of US history: Spain's contribution to US independence.

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