The French had been following developments
法国人一直都很关注这些英属殖民地的
in the British colonies. They were delighted,
发展,因此我们也可以理解他们对于
understandably, by the birth of this new nation
这个北美新兴国家的成立感到
in North America. French intellectuals were
无比高兴,法国知识分子对于
thrilled by the slap in the face to
这个事件给英国带来的打击和
an entrenched monarchy, take that.
耻辱都感到兴奋不已,事实就是这样
The entrenched French monarchy was thrilled
法国的君主政体认为这个事件
by the opportunity to play catch up with
是让他们能够赶超英国的绝好机会
Great Britain. Already France was sending
因此他们也一直都在向美国的
supplies to the American revolutionaries.
革命分子提供各种物资供给
American envoy, Benjamin Franklin,
美国的全权公使本杰明富兰克林
played upon these feelings to obtain in 1778
也借助法国的这种心理,于1778年
a tree of alliance, friendship and commerce
促成了美国与法国之间同盟有好
between America and France. Shortly after that
商业合作关系,在此之后不久
Britain declared war on France. In 1779
英国就宣布与法国开战 1779年
Spain considered supporting the Americans
西班牙也开始考虑对美国反抗英国的
against the British, the Spanish hated the British too,
行为进行支持,西班牙也怨恨英国
but they declined out of fear for their
但是他们出于对其北美帝国的恐惧
North American empire. Finally the British
此前并没有采取行动,后来英国
declared war on the Netherlands in 1780 because
又在1780年与荷兰开战,因为荷兰
the Dutch continued to trade with the Americans.
一直都没有中断与美国的贸易往来
Harassed in North America by rebellious colonials
于是英国在北美要面对移民的武装叛乱
and French expiditionaries, threatened in Europe
以及法国的征军,另一方面在欧洲还要
by a French, Spanish, Dutch alliance
面临法国,西班牙和荷兰盟军的夹击
the British were struggling against great odds.
此时的英国可谓深陷重重危机
The Americans had started the American
尽管美国已经进入了大革命时期
Revolution as under dogs but over time
也不得不受到各方条件的支配
European political entanglements helped give
但欧洲方面的政治拉锯的确为
the continentals a fighting chance.
大陆军的喘息和重新作战提供了条件
Segment 3D; building on our beginnings
第3D章,从零开始
'Anuit Coapthes'. On October 19th, 1781
Anuit Coapthes 。1781年10月19日
the main British army in North America
英国在北美作战的主要兵力
surrendered to the Americans at Yorktown.
在约克城向美军投降
The redcoats were well trained and well equipped,
英国军队的确训练有素,装备精良
so were the mercenaries the British hired to
英国方面的雇佣军在与美军交战时
help fight the Americans but the Redcoats
也毫不逊色,但是不管是英军
and the mercenaries were no match for
还是雇佣军都闭不上衣衫褴褛的
the ragged continentals who were fighting
大陆军,因为他们是在自己的土地上
on their home soil, amidst their families
与自己的家人并肩作战
for a clear principle; a nation which would
他们目标明确--建立一个能够保证
ensure them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
他们生存,享有自由和追求幸福的权利的国家
Early in 1782 Britain initiated peace talks.
1782年年初,英方开始主张和平对话
On September 3rd, 1783 America and
1783年9月3日,美国与英国
Great Britain signed the treaty of Paris
签订了《巴黎条约》
acknowledging the independence, sovereignty
英方正式承认了北美13个殖民地
and freedom of the 13 former colonies;
独立于英国并享有自身主权和自由
now the 13 states. The new nation's boundaries
成为了美国的13个州,这个新国家
were Canada, Florida which had been given
北临加拿大,南抵归还给西班牙的
back to Spain, the Atlantic Ocean and
佛罗里达,西畔太平洋
the Mississippi River. On June 20th, 1782
东至密西西比河 1782年6月20日
congress approved the great seal of
国会通过了美国国玺的设计方案
the United States. Included on the new nations
在美国的国玺之上印有拉丁语
great seal was the Latin motto 'Anuit Coapthes',
Anuit Coapthes的字样
he, she, it, whatever, has approved of our efforts.
意在表明世界万物都已经承认了美国的成立
This was done to acknowledge
这个设计也是为了表达对
the new nations blessed start.
这个新兴国家有一个好开始的祝福
Unlike the English language which requires
跟英语不同,英语当中每个动词
that a subject or subject pronoun be used
都需要由主语或代词式主语引导
for every verb; I have approved,
比如说我承认
you have approved, he, she, it has approved,
你承认,他 ,她,它承认
we have approved, Latin does not.
我们承认等等,拉丁语则不同
A Latin speaker would not be bothered
拉丁语并没有硬性要求
by a verb appearing without a subject.
每个动词都要带有一个主语
A Latin speaker would assume that
对于拉丁语使用者来说
the subject of the verb, Anuit, would be God,
Anuit作为动词的主语时可以是上帝
providence, lady luck or what have you.
是天意,是好运气或是一切