Although the Revolutionary War was based on the premise of freedom and equality for the suppressed American colonists, it was primarily influenced and fueled by the geopolitical, economic, and political interests of European nations. After the French and Indian War, Britain had the largest number of foreign colonies on the newly discovered continent of North America. The amount of land claimed, however, was not as significant as the value a territory brought back to the homeland. Mercantilist policies that required control of vital areas, as well as nationalistic rivalries between nations had already given way to several world wars between the dueling powers of Europe. Colonies in distant lands like America were merely puppets controlled and coincidentally manipulated into victory by old world monarchs. In the 17th and 18th centuries the British Empire was the leading world power with the greatest influence and largest navy. into existence. Acquiring and maintaining that position, however, doesn't happen without creating some enemies. The English had fought many wars to protect their interests and defend their title in the new world. Events such as the War of Jenkins' Ear, the War of the Spanish Succession, King George's War, and the Seven Years' War granted England a great deal of strength and newly discovered treasure, but also left many nations thirsting for revenge (Bailey , Cohen, Kennedy106 ). Despite growing resentment from its neighbors, Britain was determined to gain and hold key positions in America that would be economically advantageous. The Ohio River valley, for example, was a key point in the Seven Years' War (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey 109). Because of this determination… half of the paper… reasons. Decisive victories such as the Battle of Yorktown, for example, would have simply been impossible without the French-provided navy (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey 158). This served the Americans perfectly since without foreign military aid to consolidate their weak forces, winning the war would have been anything but a dream. By analyzing the American Revolution from a broader global perspective, one sees how the birth of the United States was more a result of European motivations play rather than their own desire for freedom and independence. Colonies were used as a tool by many Old World powers to serve their own interests. The war was fought with the French navy, Dutch and Spanish money, and Dutch supplies. Without the interference of foreign forces shaping and encouraging the rebellion for their own benefit, the revolution would never have occurred.