The huge distances involved in warfare between European powers in the Americas usually counted in favour of the defenders. Attacks on Spanish possessions, such as the amphibious assaults launched during the War of Jenkins' Ear usually ended in failure as their overstretched forces failed to overcome well led defensive actions. Spain's involvement in the American Revolutionary War (1779–83) was largely a success, underlining the resources that Spain still had at its disposal. Spain entered the war after the Battle of Saratoga, with the aim, as in the Seven Years' War, of recovering Gibraltar and Menorca and removing the British presence near New Spain. Their successful invasion of Menorca in 1781, and the capture of West Florida and East Florida from the British, showed a renewed strength in the New World, although the British defence of Gibraltar prevented the Spanish achieving all their war goals.