Louisbourg & Havana: Imperial defense & Trade

1. Louisbourg & Havana: Imperial defense & Trade Patrick MacLennan & Jeanmarie MacMillan

2. Introduction • We read “Atlantic Empires of France & Spain” by John Robert McNeill. • The Article talks about the French and Spanish Empires, with some mentions of the British. • The principal purpose of these overseas empires was to increase the power and wealth of the mother country. • Stressed the importance of a large and vigorous commerce between colonies and mother country. • The commerce provided raw materials for domestic manufacturing, markets for domestic manufacturers and independence from unreliable foreign markets of supply. • Secure land bases and strong seaborne forces were important to protect commerce and colonies against foreign theft and to harass foreign competitors

3. French control in the new world

4. LouisBourg

5. THE Fall of Louisbourg • Shortage of gunpowder and competition of the fishery were key factors to Louisbourg’s fall. • The French could not prevent a landing or relieve a besieged Louisbourg due to a lack of sufficient sea power – something the British excelled in. • Sieged in 1745 by a New England force backed by a British Royal Navy squadron, but returned in 1748 with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. • Having given up Louisbourg, Britain created its own fortified town on Chebucto Bay which the named Halifax in 1749. • Louisbourg was sieged a second and final time by a combined British operation in 1758. It took 6 weeks for the French to finally surrender.

6. Havana • For the Empires to survive there are some important duties the new land must provide. • Havana provided… • - Men • - ships • - food • - Convenient location for offensive actions against the British in North America and in the Caribbean.

7. Havana • Founded in 1519 by the Spanish • assist in the the protection of the treasured fleets headed to Spain • Base of operations in the international competition for the southeastern corner of North America • Constant flow of men and supplies to maintain presence • Base from which to suppress the growing trade between the British West Indies and the North Atlantic World. • Royal finances made the trip to Havana • Made port for a few months & Havana was expected to care for the Seamen

8. HAVANA • Easily defended natural harbor • In combination with the natural and human resources Havana was the only suitable base for Spanish dominions • Havana built forts to defend against the British who thought they owned the land between what is now Florida and South Carolina

9. HAVANA: TRADE • British  Caribbean trade (Legal, illegal) centered around Jamaica • Less than 100 km way from Cuba • The Guardacostas and privateers shared a common purpose: Raise costs of Caribbean trade to British Merchants. • Issue because the Spanish felt that Brit Traders were dealing with contraband while the British thought the Spanish aimed to size every vessel they could. • Guardacostas(Coast Guards) and privateers gained much private wealth. Because the crown couldn’t afford to maintain the coast guard it lead to the blurred distinction between them and privateers. • There was money put aside for the Crown. • Santigo de Cuba had a better location when it came to intercepting British Trade.

10. 4 Functions for Cuba • 4 Functions Cuba was expected to fulfill • 1) Safeguard the returning Flota with its silver • 2) Maintain and defend the frontier in Florida and Apalache • 3) Intercept British West Indies Trade • 4) Gather Naval intelligence

11. Havana.. Pretty good! • Even though Havana held importance, centrality and strategic value to the Spanish America the Spanish never developed a grand illusion • But it did keep the treasure out of foreign hands • It was functional as a base for interceptors for foreign commerce • Provided accurate information on the movements of the British • The only let down was as a base for the front line struggle in Georgia

12. The Fall • Yellow fever played a large part • The yellow fever hit the British hard. They lost many men • The Spanish held out a bit longer but lacked a strong fortress around La Cabana • Short after the British arrived, they conquered La Cabana with little resistance

13. 2 possible Reasons for the Fall • The Spanish relied on yellow fever to whip out the British and it failed OR • Spanish leadership displayed incompetence (most writers believe)

14. Comparing the two • British were successful in both Louisbourg and Havana • Louisbourg’s fort was much to grand and out of place, while Havana’s suited the situation • Yellow fever could relieve the conquering of Caribbean but Louisbourg the imperial Navy of Britain could prevent it • Both served their purposes but they seemed to be adept to protect local treasure whether it be cod or silver than competing with the British.