South America
France was the first nation to grant diplomatic recognition to the new country of the United States. Russia was the second.
Austria
The Netherlands
France was the first country to grant diplomatic recognition to the new American state. France was an ally of the U.S. in the American Revolutionary War.
Yes, the United States of America were, in aggregate but still in plural, first given international recognition as independent states by the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The first nation to grant recognition to the "United States of America in Congress" was Morocco in 1786. It was not until after the ratification of the US Constitution in 1789 that the US began to gain international recognition as a single independent country. The Treaty of London of 1794 (also known as the Jay Treaty) was a significant milestone in that process.
conquistadors
France
France
Yes.
Grant
Short-term, the public was critical of Grant for nearly losing his army on the first morning - especially as there were (unfounded) rumours that he had been drunk on duty. But the Best General in the South (Sidney Johnston) had been killed at Shiloh, and they presently realised that Grant was a winner.
General Lee was fighting for the South, Grant served the Union or the North.