Laying astride the trade routes connecting Spanish America with Europe, Havana, Cuba, was Spain's most strategic port in the New World. After successfully defending Cartegena in 1741 against a British attack during the War of Jenkin's Ear, the Spanish believed they could protect their American possessions with equal success in the future, even if greatly outnumbered. Spain strove to maintain neutrality during the French and Indian War (1754-63), but in August 1761, concerned over Great Britain's growing strength, the Spanish joined the war as an ally of France.

After Spain's entry into the war, the British decided to gain control of Cuba by seizing Havana. British troops began landing at Cojimar, a beach six miles east of Havana, on June 7, 1762. Soon after, they seized a prominent hill overlooking the Spanish fort at El Morro. In order to defend Havana, the Spanish sank three ships at the harbor entrance. While this action sealed the British out, it also trapped Spanish ships inside, allowing British ships to supply their army unmolested. The British landed a second force west of Havana. El Morro was captured on July 31, and the Spanish offered to surrender on August 11. The British lost more men from disease and epidemics, especially yellow fever, in this expedition than from combat: Of the 5,366 British soldiers killed during the campaign, 4,708 died of disease; the British navy lost 68 sailors in combat and more than 1,200 to disease.

The British occupied the city for 10 months beginning on August 14, opening Cuba to trade with Britain and its colonies. Free of Spain's taxes and mercantilist policies, merchants flourished while consumers obtained access to an array of manufactured goods not previously available. The occupation also opened Cuba to the additional importation of African slaves, with some 10,000 arriving during the period.

Bibliography:

1) Allan J. Kuethe, Cuba, 1753-1815: Crown, Military, and Society (Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1986);

2) Louis A. Perez, Jr., "Cuba and the United States: Origins and Antecedents of Relations, 1760s-1860s," Cuban Studies 21 (1991): 21-82.

Free term papers are not written to satisfy your specific instructions. You can use our professional writing services to buy a custom written research paper, term paper, or essay on American Revolution at affordable price. CustomTermPapers is the best solution for those who seek help in writing term papers, essays, and research papers related to American Revolution and other relevant topics.