| Achoimre: | <p>This dissertation presents a case study of the economic confrontation that eventually led to the War of Jenkins’ Ear between England and Spain in the early 18th century. It discussed the commercial competition taking place in New Granada in the years leading to the conflict, as exemplified by the experience of the South Sea Company factory in the port city of Cartagena, its efforts to penetrate the colonial market, and Spain’s response to this challenge.</p>
<p>While several studies have examined the issue before from a purely English, or purely Spanish perspective, this dissertation presented the two efforts as experienced by the colonial society of New Granada. The dissertation relied on both Spanish and English archival sources, allowing for a more comprehensive view of the complex economic, political and social exchanges taking place in New Granada at the time between the two powers. It also adds to the knowledge about a not very thoroughly-studied period of the economic history of New Granada, by documenting in detail the operations of the South Sea Company factory, the first organised English commercial settlement in the country.</p>
<p>The experiences of the South Sea Company in New Granada from 1713 to 1739 and its interaction with Spanish authorities and merchants there, showed both the limitations of English power against what was still strong Spanish administrative and military control over the South American mainland, as well as the English commercial vitality that was rightfully seen by Spain as a threat to the continuity of its empire there. While the focus of the study is to show how this rivalry was carried out in the local sphere of New Granada’s colonial society, it also provides elements for a wider view on the divergent imperial experiences of England and Spain.</p>
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