European Rivalry in the

Caribbean
Caribbean History
Objectives:

• Explain the interest of European countries in the New World.

• Examine the idea of the Caribbean being the cockpit of Europe.

• Discuss five measures used by Spain to protect her empire in the Americas up to 1763

• Discuss three measures used by Spain’s “enemies’ to destroy her empire in the Americas up to 1763.
Have You Ever Watched Pirates of the
Caribbean?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKBslba9E3U
 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 between 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 from the area.
Strategies Used By Spain To Protect Her Monopoly

1. The use of convoy system

2. The establishment of the house of trade (Casa de Contracion)

3. The utilization of the guarda costa

4. Fortification of important towns

5. Monopoly port system

6. Asiento
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.

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.
UTILIZATION OF THE GUARDA COSTA
These were coast guards that patrolled the waters against smugglers and other marauders.

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.

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

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.
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.
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.

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.
ACTIVITY 1

England, France and Holland were Spain’s strongest enemies. As Spain became weaker during the 1600s and
1700s, her enemies fought Spain and each other over the riches of the colonies in the Caribbean. Warfare
among the European powers had important effects on the settlers in the Caribbean.

(a) Give TWO ways in which Spain’s enemies tried to share in the wealth of her Caribbean colonies in the
1600s. (4 marks)
(b) State TWO steps Spain took to protect her trade and settlements in the Caribbean in the 1600s. (4
marks)
(c) Give TWO effects that warfare had on the lives of Caribbean settlers during the 1700s. (4 marks)