Illustration
This map captures the shifting tides of colonial power in the 1700s, focusing on the strategic coastlines of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Once dominated by Spain, this region—known as the Spanish Main and the West Indies—became a battleground of influence among the Spanish, English, and French empires, as trade, piracy, and military conflict reshaped control of its lucrative ports and sea lanes.
The map also traces the intricate routes of the Spanish Treasure Fleets, which carried silver, gold, and goods from the New World to Europe. These heavily guarded convoys followed precise maritime corridors to minimize risk from storms and privateers. Their movements not only defined transatlantic commerce but also catalyzed European rivalries, fueling wars and alliances that would forever alter the colonial map of the Americas.
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Cite This Work
APA Style
Netchev, S. (2021, November 02). Map of Spanish Main & West Indies c.1720. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14784/map-of-spanish-main--west-indies-c1720/
Chicago Style
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Spanish Main & West Indies c.1720." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified November 02, 2021. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14784/map-of-spanish-main--west-indies-c1720/.
MLA Style
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Spanish Main & West Indies c.1720." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 02 Nov 2021, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14784/map-of-spanish-main--west-indies-c1720/. Web. 05 Jul 2025.
