Final answer:
Spain helped the American Patriots by providing essential supplies and military assistance, motivated by strategic interests to weaken Britain, their rival, and to potentially enhance their own empire's strength and territorial claims.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spain provided substantial aid to the Patriot cause during the American Revolution by supplying money, gunpowder, and various other forms of military assistance. This support played a crucial role in enabling the Patriots to continue their fight against British rule. Spain’s decision to assist America was motivated primarily by a desire to weaken Great Britain, its long-standing rival, and to improve its own strategic positions in global politics.
Spain had its own imperial ambitions and saw the weakening of Britain as an opportunity to strengthen its own empire. Additionally, the rivalry extended to concerns over commerce and territorial gains. Spanish assistance was delivered through indirect means, channels like Governor Bernardo de Gálvez of Spanish Louisiana, who played a key role in facilitating the delivery of supplies to the American forces and even led Spanish troops against the British in campaigns along the Gulf Coast, contributing to the Patriot victories.
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