British Cuba.

We all know that Cuba was taken by the British in the Seven Years' War but given up for Florida. What would things have been like if Britain had kept the island? By extension, this can be extended to Martinique and Guadaloupe-I think sadly most people don't realize the Carribean had nearly become entirely British in conquest barring Hispanola and Puerto Rico by wars' end-but Cuba is what I am especially wondering on.

I'm amazed they gave it for Florida, since a quick proxy war or strike could maybe have taken it, much less colonists filibustering into it as they keep expanding along the eastern seaboard...
 
Assuming the Spanish agree to give up Cuba, I think one of their main priorities come the American Revolutionary War would be to take it back. Expect earlier, stronger, Spanish aid to the American rebels in an attempt to weaken Britain.
 
Cuba was one of the most ancient possessions of the spanish empire, and had a very sizeable population of spanish colonists. By this point, Spain giving it up would be like Britain giving Virginia to Spain after the spaniards managed to take Norfolk in some war.
 
Before Britain took the Island there were Major restrictions on Native Business. [Basically you needed a License from Madrid] which few of the Free Blacks that made up 25% of the Population, or the lower Class White Craftsmen could get.
During Britain's Occupation, They removed all the restrictions on Native Business, During their time there Cuba's GNP almost doubled.

Also The Americans send Factors [with their Families] to set up Shipping offices.

When Spain Returned in 1763, one of the first things they did was send troops around to shut down all the new Business.

In order for Britain to hold Cuba, they need to take it at the beginning of the war and not at the end.
In other words Pitt has to stay in Power, and not be replaced.

England takes Cuba and the Philippines, and Spain Choses to get the Philippines back.

Assuming the Spanish agree to give up Cuba, I think one of their main priorities come the American Revolutionary War would be to take it back. Expect earlier, stronger, Spanish aid to the American rebels in an attempt to weaken Britain.
Close to 2/3 of the Troops the Governor of Louisiana used to take take Florida in the 1780's were Cubans.
Here Spain would have to ship Troops from Spain, and after 12 years of British Rule, they would be unhappy with the Cuba they got Back.

I also think that There would be no 1806 Argentina expedition ITTL, instead Britain would try to retake Cuba.

If Spain fails to get Cuba back in the Treaty of Paris, at the end of the ARW
[I see no way the US can get it] then Latin America become very interesting in the 1800's.

Cuba is is big as England, And Havana has always [Pre Castro] been seen as the Capital of Latin America.

The UK would most likely object to Spain selling France Hispaniola in 1795, and has Cuban troops to use to express this Displeasure.

The UK comes out of the Congress of Vienna, controlling Cuba, Hispaniola, PR, and Jamaica,

The Dominion of the Caribbean is formed at the same time as the D of Canada.

This is a TL I would love to read.
 
Way before the british can assert their domination over the island, the entire expeditionary force is wiped out by malaria, as it almost happened IOTL.

I love how in this site the british seem to be impervious to several physical and biological laws that other inferior countries have to comply with. :rolleyes:
 
Way before the british can assert their domination over the island, the entire expeditionary force is wiped out by malaria, as it almost happened IOTL.

I love how in this site the british seem to be impervious to several physical and biological laws that other inferior countries have to comply with. :rolleyes:
Well of course they are impervious, how else do you explain the British empire?
 
Well of course they are impervious, how else do you explain the British empire?

By becoming victors of wars that bloodied their enemies and allies, but didn't affect them at all.

Curiously, that's exactly how the American empire replaced the British later.
 
If Britain takes Cuba, it would last long. Cuba would be returned to Spain after the American Revolution.

What Revolution?

Under Britain, Cuba's sugar economy probably booms; and who prospers most from trading with a British crown colony? The New England-based merchants who are selling American grain and timber.

Hmm.
 
Way before the british can assert their domination over the island, the entire expeditionary force is wiped out by malaria, as it almost happened IOTL.

It doesn't have to be just malaria - you could try yellow fever or even the good old-fashioned scurvy or dystentery (maybe even cholera).
 
It doesn't have to be just malaria - you could try yellow fever or even the good old-fashioned scurvy or dystentery (maybe even cholera).
The Brits had been dealing with Caribbean diseases for a long time, and it hadn't scared tem out of Jamaica, Barbados, etc. It would take a larger contingent to secure Cuba, yes, but why should they be MORE susceptile than troops from other European countries? If they can give the locals a reason to be happy (and that usually means money) and not piss them off with stupid religious restrictions, then they will be more than half-way to pacifying the island.
 
The Brits had been dealing with Caribbean diseases for a long time, and it hadn't scared tem out of Jamaica, Barbados, etc. It would take a larger contingent to secure Cuba, yes, but why should they be MORE susceptile than troops from other European countries?

Simple - because of this:

Dr Strangelove said:
I love how in this site the british seem to be impervious to several physical and biological laws that other inferior countries have to comply with. :rolleyes:

In other words, it reeks of a Britwank. A lot of what the British did to build up the Empire was on pure luck.

Coming up next: the Taíno and Ciboney began driving out the British, with Spanish aid.
 
Simple - because of this:



In other words, it reeks of a Britwank. A lot of what the British did to build up the Empire was on pure luck.

Coming up next: the Taíno and Ciboney began driving out the British, with Spanish aid.
I don't understand... so anything where the British aren't wiped out by disease and natives must therefore be a Brit-wank? And luck is a non-force here? Because the Spanish and French empires were laregly based on that bit of no consequence as well.

If you're looking for balance, how about this - the establishment of Cuba as a British possession leads to the wave of Loyalists from the inevitable version of the ARW to head south rather than north. This leads to a significantly smaller population of British sympathizers in the Canadas and Maritimes when the inevitable version of the War of 1812 happens, and the US goes to war to liberate British North America. The US annexes Western Nova Scotia (OTL New Brunswick), Upper Canada and all points West. Quebec is given its independence in exchange for French aid against the Brits. It remains seperate from France but quickly becomes an ally, and a member of the royal house is invited to become King. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland remain British

There, no Brit-wank, a smallish Ameri-wank, and a dash of Franco-wank. Or is that all just luck?
 
I don't understand... so anything where the British aren't wiped out by disease and natives must therefore be a Brit-wank? And luck is a non-force here? Because the Spanish and French empires were laregly based on that bit of no consequence as well.

Luck is a factor, I don't deny it, but what I was trying to say (which somehow didn't come out clear - me just coming out of class at that point) was that the Spanish were most likely going to resist the British (probably more so than in the Québec situation). It does not matter if the British gain Cuba at the beginning or the end of the war, the Spanish will resist it, tooth and nail. After all, this is Spain's version of India - the jewel in the crown. Eventually, the British will be forced hand it back.

However, that's because of the situation back then. Had they tried to take Cuba during the era of Sir Francis Drake (probably coupled with gaining control over Puerto Rico) and we'd be talking about something different.
 
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