American Revolution Countries Involved
Country↑ | Countries Role | Additional Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Bahamas | Battleground | British territory often invaded by the United States and Spain. |
 | Barbados | Battleground | British territory known for its sugar plantations. |
 | Dominica | Battleground | British territory often invaded by France. |
 | France | Direct American Ally | Shipped supplies to Americans as early as 1775. Entered the war as an American ally in 1778, arguably in hopes of regaining control over Flordia, as well as other territories it had lost to Britain in the "Seven Years War" (also called the French and Indian War) of 1756-1763. |
 | Germany | Indirect British Ally | Several states, territories, or other governments in what is now Germany acted as allies of Great Britain during the Revolutionary War: - Anhalt-Zerbst signed a treaty and sent troops. | - Ansback-Bayreuth supplied troops. | - Brunswick offered troops and signed a treaty of support. | - Hanover sent troops to the British territory Gibraltar to replace soldiers who had been sent to the colonies to fight. | - Hesse-Hanau offered troops to Great Britain. | - Hesse-Kassel leased troops to Great Britain. | - Waldeck offered troops. | |
 | Guadeloupe | Battleground | French territory invaded by the British. |
 | Guyana | Battleground | Demerara was a Dutch colony in what is now Guyana. |
 | Haiti | Battleground | Saint-Domingue was a French colony in what is now Haiti. |
 | Honduras | Battleground | Spanish territory. |
 | India | Indirect American Ally | When the British captured part of India's Kingdom of Mysore in response to France becoming an American ally, the sultan of Mysore launched what would become the Second Anglo-Mysore War against the British. |
 | Jamaica | Indirect American Ally | Jamaica was one of a handful of Caribbean islands used by the Americans and their allies to sneak guns, gunpowder, and other supplies past the British navy. |
 | Martinique | Battleground | French territory often invaded by the British. |
 | Montserrat | Battleground | British territory known for its sugar plantations. |
 | Netherlands | Indirect American Ally | Dutch merchants shipped gunpowder and other supplies to the Americans as early as 1774, primarily by funneling it through the tiny Caribbean island of St. Eustatius. When the system was uncovered, Great Britain declared war on the Netherlands. |
 | Spain | Indirect American Ally | Spain joined the war as an ally to France, though they did not ally directly with the American colonies, and sent troops and weapons. |
 | United Kingdom | Main (British) | As Great Britain. |
 | United States | Main (American) | While the thirteen American colonies were one of two main protagonists in the war, it should also be noted that a notable number of British loyalists and Native American tribes such as the Cherokee and Choctaw sided with—and even fought for—the British. |
- Many Caribbean islands were valuable for the income from their sugar plantations and also strategically located between the colonies and Great Britain. As such, while these islands rarely entered the war directly (most were ruled by England or France), they often became important battlegrounds and were fought over as fiercely as the American mainland.
- While the American Revolution was a fight for independence for the American colonies, it was also the continuation of a larger dispute over trade alliances (and global wealth potential) between Great Britain, France, Spain, and the Netherlands (the Dutch). These tensions had already resulted in a previous war, the Seven Years War (1756-1763) and would lead to the concurrent Anglo-Mysore Wars and Anglo-French War (1778–1783). In fact, while the American/British conflict ended in 1781, battles in India (which both Britain and France sought to control) would continue for another two years.
Great Britain
When Paul Revere went racing through the streets on horseback yelling “the British” are coming, it was these British he was speaking of, coming to take back what they believed was theirs, namely - America. It was, among many issues, taxes and religion that prompted the separation from Britain, and it was Great Britain who was the chief player in the American Revolution.
The Colonies
There were 13 colonies at the time of the American Revolution, thirteen colonies that would shortly after, become the beginning of the United States of America. The names of the heroes of the great war for independence are etched in the history books, and through many hallowed halls in the US. This wasn’t a war that involved Great Britain and the rebel colonies alone though. At the time, Great Britain was the world’s great power, and there was a lot at stake
France
It wasn’t until 1778 that France jumped into the fray, but as it has for as long as history records, this proud country stood by us and fought beside us. Yes, there was also motive and motivation for the French to join us, after all, they were rather tired of getting their butts kicked by the Brits. They also had some potential land in this place called North America they had designs on claiming.
Spain
The role Spain played benefited the Colonies, but not for the Colony’s sake. Spain became involved shortly after the French, but only to ally with the French and to fight against the British. Funny, how common enemies make fast friends, and in this case, worthwhile allies.
Mysore
Following a common theme, the small country of Mysore from India joined forces with the Colonies to fight against British expansion. Great Britain during their reign made more than a few enemies, many of which made good during the America Revolution.
The Dutch Republic
Despite their size, the Dutch Republic owned a formidable fleet of ships. Great Britain’s attack on the Dutch Republic to prevent them from joining the revolution sealed the deal for whose side they were on.
Hanover
Not everyone was willing or able to join forces against the British Empire, including territories like Hanover. Today, that would be what we know as Germany and was then under the rule of King George III. That also meant allegiance to the crown and the hand to bore the rod.
Native Americans
Many Native Americans also joined in the revolution, with many of them fighting for either side. Some took up arms against what they considered the invasion of the Colonists, while many tribes were either persuaded or bought by one side or the other.
