European rivalry in the Caribbean up to 1763

AT THE end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain what is meant by the suggestion that the Caribbean was the ‘cockpit of Europe’.

2. Discuss five measures used by Spain to protect its empire in the Americas up to 1763.

3. Discuss three measures used by ‘Spain’s enemies’ to destroy its empire in the Americas up to 1763.

THE CARIBBEAN AS THE ‘COCKPIT OF EUROPE’?

Historical use of the term ‘cockpit’ conjures up images of fighting and rivalry. It is thus appropriate that the term was used to describe the rivalry and fighting among various European countries in the Americas. To clearly understand the terminology, we have to understand what was happening in the Americas, specifically the relationship between the various European countries in the 18th century. Spain, by the end of the 16th century, was the dominant power in the Americas. However, her power was being challenged by the French, Dutch and English. The countries wanted to gain territorial and mineral wealth in the area.

The idea of the Caribbean being the ‘cockpit of Europe’ emerges from the imagery of a popular blood sport involving the use of male fighting birds called gamecocks. These birds are placed together, usually two at a time, into a small, enclosed arena, where, upon seeing each other, they instinctively begin fighting until one dies. The analogy is quite appropriate because, like the game birds, these European nations sought to fight to the death in a small arena with the hope that at the end of the fight, only one combatant would remain in charge of the ‘cockpit’– the Caribbean. The battle for the area is best highlighted in Figure 1, which shows how the lands were distributed among the various European powers.

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 utilisation of the guarda costa, d) the fortification of important towns and, e) a 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 establishment of the House of Trade – the House of Trade or Casa de Contrataci’on was a government agency from the 16th to 18th century which was mandated to control Spanish exploration and colonisation. The body had several functions:

Approving all voyages of exploration and trade.

Licensing captains.

Collecting all taxes and duties.

Maintaining secret information on trade routes and new discoveries.

Issuing trade licences (one such was the asiento).

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Utilisation of the Guarda Costa – These were coast guards that patrolled the waters against smugglers and other marauders.

5. Monopoly port system – Spain ensured that only legally authorised ports could conduct trade with the settlers in the American empire.

DISMANTLING THE SPANISH EMPIRE IN THE AMERICAS

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, and 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. 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.

3. Privateering – 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. 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.

Debbion Hyman is an independent contributor. Send feedback to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com.