Episode 633 Show Notes- Luis de Unzaga: How a Spanish Governor Helped Create the United States
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Episode Description
In this week’s America’s Founding Series on The P.A.S. Report, Professor Nick Giordano explores story of Luis de Unzaga, the Spanish Governor of Louisiana who played a quiet yet powerful role in America’s fight for independence and may have been the first to coin the name “United States of America.” His use of this term, as opposed to the 13 colonies, signified a bold assertion of unity, sovereignty, and nationhood. It was a declaration that these were no longer fragmented colonies under British rule, but a single, self-governing nation determined to shape its own destiny. While not American, Unzaga acted as a crucial patriot to the cause, helping legitimize the birth of a nation on the world stage. Discover how this overlooked Spanish governor helped shape America’s name and destiny.
Episode Highlights:
- Luis de Unzaga’s vital covert support for the Patriot cause, including early arms shipments and financial aid.
- Compelling evidence suggests Unzaga was one of the first officials to use the term “Estados Unidos Americanos” (United States of America), potentially influencing its adoption by George Washington and the Founding Fathers.
- Why foreign allies like Unzaga mattered just as much as battlefield victories in securing American independence.
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Show Notes- Luis de Unzaga: How a Spanish Governor Helped Create the United States
00:56 Luis de Unzaga: The Overlooked Patriot
06:48 Unzaga’s Strategic Support for Independence
08:00 Letter to General Washington and Reference to the United States
13:34 The Legacy of Luis de Unzaga
The Forgotten Governor Who Helped Name the United States: Luis de Unzaga’s Revolutionary Role
When we think of America’s founding, names like Washington, Jefferson, and Adams come to mind. But few Americans have ever heard of Luis de Unzaga, the Spanish Governor of Louisiana who played a quiet yet powerful role in the birth of the United States.
In this week’s America’s Founding Series on The P.A.S. Report Podcast, Professor Nick Giordano uncovers a little-known chapter of the Revolutionary War. One that takes us to the humid, strategic city of New Orleans, and into the world of Spanish diplomacy, covert aid, and a game-changing phrase: “United States of America.”
A Governor in the Shadows of History
Luis de Unzaga was no ordinary colonial official. As Governor of Spanish Louisiana in the 1770s, he managed a vast, multicultural territory and quietly worked behind the scenes to support the American colonists in their struggle against the British. Though Spain remained officially neutral for much of the war, Unzaga took it upon himself to authorize early arms shipments, supplies, and financial assistance. This was a lifeline that helped sustain the Continental Army long before France joined the fight.
“Estados Unidos Americanos”: The Birth of a Name
One of the most intriguing pieces of evidence tied to Unzaga’s legacy is his use of the phrase “Estados Unidos Americanos,” the Spanish equivalent of “United States of America.” In diplomatic correspondence dating back to the mid-1770s, Unzaga referenced the colonies not as disjointed territories, but as a united body, signaling a growing recognition of American sovereignty.
This reference came before the Declaration of Independence and before the phrase was commonly used in America itself. Scholars now believe Unzaga may have been among the first foreign officials to use the term in an official capacity, potentially influencing its later adoption by leaders like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Patriotism Without Borders
Though not American by birth, Luis de Unzaga was a patriot in principle. He saw the value in a self-governing republic in the New World and understood the geopolitical benefits of weakening Britain’s global grip. His contributions, while less visible than those of battlefield generals, were instrumental in helping the colonies survive and gain legitimacy on the world stage.
Why This Story Matters Today
Unzaga’s story is a powerful reminder that America’s independence was not achieved alone. It took foreign allies, covert support, and bold visionaries outside the traditional founding narrative. By rediscovering figures like Luis de Unzaga, we deepen our understanding of the revolution and honor those whose names have been lost to time, but not to history.
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Luis de Unzaga: The Forgotten Governor Who Helped Name the United States
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