AHC: British Cuba

With a POD between 1600 and 1800, have England or Great Britain acquire Cuba and hold it for a minimum of 10 years. Bonus points for longer occupation, and extra special bonus points for permanent occupation and successfully shifting the language from Spanish to English/an English-based creole.
 
This is actually much more difficult than it would appear because of how much the Spanish valued the place. Havana was their capital in the Eastern Hemisphere, so even if they lost it in a war, they would give a lot to get it back - to the point where the British would have to be idiots to not do the exchange.

I can't see how this dynamic can be changed, short of it happening after Cuba already has independence from Spain. But of course the USA existed by that point, and would veto any British ownership.
 

Art

Monthly Donor
Cuba was captured by the English. . .

During the Seven Year's War, but they lost the island in the peace talks.
 
During the Seven Year's War, but they lost the island in the peace talks.
Which goes back to the point that the Spanish will give away a lot to ransom it, until they find a price the British are willing to accept.

You'd probably have better luck during the War of Spanish Succession.
 

TFSmith121

Banned
Don't disagree, but...

This is actually much more difficult than it would appear because of how much the Spanish valued the place. Havana was their capital in the Eastern Hemisphere, so even if they lost it in a war, they would give a lot to get it back - to the point where the British would have to be idiots to not do the exchange.

I can't see how this dynamic can be changed, short of it happening after Cuba already has independence from Spain. But of course the USA existed by that point, and would veto any British ownership.

Don't disagree, but...

I think you're off by a few thousand miles.;)

Best,
 
This is actually much more difficult than it would appear because of how much the Spanish valued the place. Havana was their capital in the Eastern Hemisphere, so even if they lost it in a war, they would give a lot to get it back - to the point where the British would have to be idiots to not do the exchange.

It doesn't help that the army that was actually sent to Cuba mostly died of malaria and didn't control much outside Havana proper.
 
This is actually much more difficult than it would appear because of how much the Spanish valued the place. Havana was their capital in the Eastern Hemisphere, so even if they lost it in a war, they would give a lot to get it back - to the point where the British would have to be idiots to not do the exchange.

I can't see how this dynamic can be changed, short of it happening after Cuba already has independence from Spain. But of course the USA existed by that point, and would veto any British ownership.

It was? I would have guessed for Mexico City.
 
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