Final answer:
The Spanish government used the conflict between Great Britain and the American colonies to weaken British control and expand Spanish influence by joining the war in 1779, closing the Mississippi River to American traffic, and encouraging disunity within the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the Spanish Government Used the War to Their Advantage
The war between Great Britain and the American colonies presented strategic opportunities for the Spanish government to advance its interests. The Spanish government took advantage of Britain's preoccupation with the rebellious colonies in North America by pursuing objectives that would disrupt British control and increase Spanish influence. Notably, Spain joined the war against Great Britain in 1779, following France's lead. This move by Spain allowed them to undermine British efforts in the war and potentially reclaim territories such as Florida, which had previously been under British control.
Furthermore, during King George's War and conflicts in the Americas, the Spanish government engaged in actions to protect its economic interests in the region. By closing the Mississippi River to American traffic, they attempted to exert control and disrupt American settlement in the west. Alongside these strategic military actions, the Spanish also looked to solidify their influence over their American colonies, with measures aimed at bolstering economic control, such as the implementation of reforms to increase tax collection and to stimulate 'free' trade dynamics favorable to Spanish manufacturers at the expense of local colonial producers.
The Spanish also encouraged disunity within the fledgling United States by spurring settlers in Kentucky and Tennessee to consider independence, so they might gain unrestricted access to the Mississippi River for their trade.