Revolution (1789–1799). This cataclysmic
upheaval, which temporarily abolished
the French monarchy and led to decades
of war, was partially inspired by the exam-
ple set by the American Revolution, which
Spain had helped bring to fruition. Like
other European nations, Spain was terri-
fied to see republicanism take root closer
to home and joined in fighting republican
France in the Wars of the French
Revolution (1792–1795).
So soundly did France defeat Spain
that the latter nation was required to sur-
render the first colony it had founded in
the Western Hemisphere, Santo
Domingo, in the eastern part of the island
of Hispaniola; France already possessed
the western part. The entire island would
gain independence from France in 1804,
as Haiti, but Santo Domingo, with its dis-
tinctively Spanish culture, did not remain
part of Haiti for long. It was reconquered
by Spain (1809–1821), briefly made inde-
pendent (1821–1822), then retaken by
Haiti (1822–1844). In 1844, as the
Dominican Republic, it again won
independence, which it has maintained
ever since, except for one more period of
Spanish rule (1861–1865) and assorted
American interventions in the 20th cen-
tury (see chapters 6 and 7).
In 1796 Spain changed direction and
formed an alliance with France against
Britain. The result was that Spain becameINDEPENDENCE IN THE NEW WORLD 69Disputed Territory on the Eastern Frontier, 1783-1820
Unclear borders between the United States and Spanish territory in North America led to tension between the two countries. In
particular, the Spanish and Americans differed over the border of West Florida, which had been ceded to Spain by Great Britain
after the war. In addition, Spain also claimed former British territory as far north as the Ohio and Tennessee rivers. American settlers
ignored these claims. By 1820, Spain decided to cede, not only the disputed lands, but the entirety of Florida to the United States.