This right became important during wars in which Britain was a participant .
The Republic remained neutral , like the Seven Years ' War and after 1778 the American Revolutionary War , in which Britain opposed the rebelling American Colonies and their allies , France and Spain .
This right became important during wars in which Britain was a participant , but the Republic remained neutral , like the Seven Years ' War and after 1778 the American Revolutionary War , in which Britain opposed the rebelling American Colonies and their allies , France and Spain .