Political Interests
►British
Parliament and lobbying efforts:
§Agents for the West Indies lobbyed British Parliament to lower tariffs, gain military support
and expand trade routes, and subsequently
the
§West
Indies were allowed many concessions not given to the Thirteen Colonies.
§King
George III wrote: ”Our Islands [West Indies] must be defended even at the
risk of an invasion of the Island [England].
If we lose our sugar islands it will be impossible to raise money to
continue the war [Revolutionary War].”
►
Spain and France:
§
Both countries were constant threats in the region, often invading and pillaging the islands.
Both countries were constant threats in the region, often invading and pillaging the islands.
►American
Revolution:
§
The British believed that losing the war in America could lead to a loss of the West Indies. This prompted them to §move troops from America to Jamaica after France enter the war in order to protect British interests—this move possibly lost the war for them in America.
The British believed that losing the war in America could lead to a loss of the West Indies. This prompted them to §move troops from America to Jamaica after France enter the war in order to protect British interests—this move possibly lost the war for them in America.
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