Yes, 18th Century Europe operated under the principal of balance of power, which basically meant that any time one nation started to become too powerful, the rest would join together and jump on them. Around 1780, it was Britain's turn to be jumped upon - note that France wasn't the only European power that supported the American Revolution.
If there is any ASB factor in the ARW, it is that Britain actually benefitted from losing. The costs of the war to France, plus the revolutionary influences, led to the French Revolution and Napoleaonic Wars that weakened Britain's main European competitors and allowed Britain to become a superpower in the Nineteenth Century.
Cheers,
Nigel.
The UK even benefitted from American independance directly.
Buisness as usual continued in what made the colonies profitable (trade) whilst Britian no longer had to bother paying to maintain the colonies.
The main OTL ASB I think is Germany in WW2.
re: Obama. Not so much his being black but his name certainly. Osama/Obama....hmm....Tell someone back after 11/9/01 this and you'll start seeing silly FHs about teh moozlems winning.