European rivalry in the Caribbean up to 1763

European rivalry in the Caribbean up to 1763

EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT IN THE AMERICAS UP TO 1763

With Spain facing such growing hostility in the region, she employed several strategies to protect her American empire. These included:

a) the use of a convoy system. b) the establishment of the House of Trade.

c) the utilization of the guarda costa.

d) the fortification of important towns.

e) monopoly port system.

MEASURES USED BY SPAIN TO PROTECT HER EMPIRE IN THE AMERICAS

Spain employed several strategies to protect her empire. These included:

1. THE USE OF A CONVOY SYSTEM

This was a collection of merchant ships with an escort of warships. This was introduced to reduce the likelihood of privateers and buccaneers attacking Spanish vessels.

2. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOUSE OF TRADE

The House of Trade, or Casa de Contratacíon, was a government agency from the 16th to 18th century which was mandated to control Spanish exploration and colonization. The body had several functions:

• collecting all taxes and duties.
• licensing captains.
• maintaining secret information on trade routes and new discoveries.
• issuing trade licences (one such was the asiento).
• approving all voyages of exploration and trade.

By controlling the economic framework of the colonies, Spain assumed it would be easier to maintain its influence over the colonies.

3. UTILIZATION OF THE GUARDA COSTA

These were coast guards that patrolled the waters against smugglers and other marauders.

4. THE FORTIFICATION OF IMPORTANT PORTS

This would reduce the likelihood of attacks on their trading system by rival European nations. Fortified ports existed in Santo Domingo, Havana, Hispaniola and San Juan in the Caribbean. There was also the fortification of Cartagena – the guardian of northern South America and approaches to the Isthmus of Panama.

5. MONOPOLY PORT SYSTEM

Spain ensured that only legally authorised ports could conduct trade with the settlers in the American empire.

BREAKING OF SPAIN’S AMERICAN EMPIRE

Although Spain tried immensely to safeguard her control of territories in the Americas, the tactics employed by several European countries proved successful in destroying her control. These measures included:

a) illegal trading

b) privateering

c) settlement of several islands in the region.

1. ILLEGAL TRADING

Spain sought to prevent Spanish settlers from purchasing goods from other European settlers. Oftentimes, Spanish settlers had to wait until the fleet from Seville returned for them to access items. This led to shortages in the colonies. Traders such as the English illegally sold goods such as wine, oil, tools and textiles to the Spanish settlers. By the end of the 17th century, it was the Dutch who were the busiest illegal traders in the region and undermining Spain’s economic stronghold over the region.

2. PRIVATEERING

Somali Pirates

Privateers were issued with Letters of Marque – special papers given by their home government granting permission to attack, take by force and return the goods from enemy merchant ships. Please note that buccaneers were not under the directive of any home government. In essence, they were pirates without licences. However, their efforts were just as effective as they plundered Spanish ships.

3. SETTLEMENT

The French and English established settlements as a means of containing Spanish dominance in the Caribbean. They settled on islands that were considered ‘insignificant’ by the Spanish. By doing so, rival European nations created a presence in the region and had bases in the area from which to attack and undermine Spain’s economic stronghold in the Americas. The end result was that by 1763 Spain’s hegemony in the Americas was reduced significantly.

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