space.template.European+Rivalry

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 * Historical Data

**European rivalry in the Caribbean** This week we assess the attempts by Spain to maintain her vast American empire and the attempts by other European nations to break this monopoly. By the 16th century, Spain had established herself as the dominant power in the Americas. This was because Spain was in possession of numerous territories and was gaining immense wealth from these areas. This made many European countries jealous of the riches Spain was gaining, and left them wanting a share of the pie. With the arrival of the French, English and Dutch, the Caribbean found itself becoming the cockpit of Europe. 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. This imagery of a cockpit is, perhaps, a very appropriate one for describing the interactions of the Europeans in the Caribbean during this period. The analogy is quite appropriate, because 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. Spain introduced several measures aimed at maintaining her monopoly. These were: 1. **// House of Trade/Casa de Contratacíon //** - a government agency under the empire from the 16th to 18th century which attempted to control Spanish exploration and colonization. The House of Trade had several functions, including: a) collecting all taxes and duties b) approving all voyages of exploration and trade c) maintaining secret information on trade routes and new discoveries d) licensing captains 2. **// Guarda Costa - //** these were coastguards that patrolled the waters against smugglers and other marauders. 3. **// Convoy system - //** a collection of merchant ships with an escort of warships. This reduced the likelihood of attack by privateers and buccaneers. 4. **// Monopoly port system - //** only legally authorised Spanish ports could conduct trade with the settlers. 5. **// Asiento - //** permission given by the Spanish government to other countries to sell items to the Spanish colonies. 6. **// Fortification of important towns. //** These measures, however, did not prevent the other European countries from challenging Spain's monopoly. Several measures used in this respect included: 1. **// Privateering //** - privateers were usually issued with Letters of Marque. These were issued to privateers by their home government, granting permission to attack, take by force and return the goods from enemy merchant ships. 2. **// Buccaneering //** 3. **// Illegal trading - //** Spain tried relentlessly to protect her trade in the Americas. This protectionism, however, caused problems with the settlers as it prevented them from purchasing from other European settlers. Oftentimes, Spanish settlers had to wait until the fleet from Seville returned to get goods before they were able to gain items. This led to shortages in the colonies. Traders, such as the English, illegally sold goods, such as wine, oil, tools, textiles and so on, to the Spanish settlers. By the end of the 17th century, the Dutch were the busiest illegal traders. 4. **Establishment Of Settlements -** Other European Countries also established settlements in the Lesser Antilles which had been neglected by the Spanish. The first notable non-Spanish settlement was in St. Christopher in 1624. The English then proceeded to colonize Nevis, Montserrat & Anguilla. The French soon joined after by settling Martinique and Guadeloupe. The Dutch, more interested in trade, established trading posts in St. Martin, Saba, Curacao and Eustatius.
 * Debbion Hyman, Contributor **
 * Adriel Newton, Student**
 * The cockpit of Europe **
 * Maintaining Spanish monopoly **
 * Measures to break Spanish monopoly **

During the 16th century the main aim of non-Hispanic nations were to reduce Spain both financially and territorially by means of smuggling, privateering and pirating. These efforts while achieving some measure of success was not the great blow it was supposed to be. The Spanish Empire was reasonably intact at the end of the century, the towns that were raided had little to no material value and rebuilding proved to be easily done. Also important to note that in the late 16th century, only Spain had territory in the West Indies, even through all the fighting. However the looting of important cities such as Santo Domingo and San Juan were serious dents on Spanish dignity. That such things could happen proved Spain could not protect the enormous stretch of territory it claimed.
 * Extent Of European Decline In The 16th Century**