The British Domination of Havana in 1762-1763 and Its Economic and Political Consequences

Nikolaus Böttcher

During the conflict among Spain, France, and England over political and economic hegemony in Europe in the eighteenth century, Cuba played a decisive role because of its importance as a military bulwark and commercial hinge within the Spanish colonial empire. The end of the Seven Years' War brought the British siege and capture of Havana in summer 1762 and its return to Spain in exchange for the Floridas ten months later. During this short period, strong commercial links between northern Cuba and the main port towns of the British-dominated Atlantic world were established. The aim of this paper is to offer a precise evaluation of the events of 1762-63 based on archival material from Havana (Archivo Nacional), London (Public Record Office, British Library), Madrid (Archivo Histórico Nacional), and Seville (Archivo General de Indias). It will be shown precisely how far-reaching the political, economic, and social consequences of the capture of Havana were, and how the commercial interrelations between foreign merchants and local entrepreneurs in Cuba functioned. The role of Havana's planter class in this period will be determined; also British commercial activities such as the supply of slaves and merchandise during and after the British occupation will be analyzed. The Bourbonian reforms in Cuba are interpreted as a direct result of the temporary loss of Havana. The gradual intensification of commerce with North America is put into this context. The War of Independence interrupted North America's commerce with the British sugar islands and raised Cuba's importance as an alternative market. Although Cuba remained a Spanish possession, by the end of the eighteenth century the island's economic orientation had clearly moved toward the North Atlantic trade system.

[WP #97011]