The War of Jenkins' Ear (1739-1748) was a colonial conflict fought between Great Britain and Spain, primarily in the Caribbean and off the coast of South America. Looking to protect its interests in the West Indies, Britain provoked a war with Spain, one of its biggest colonial rivals, citing the mistreatment of one Captain Robert Jenkins, who was detained – and allegedly mutilated – by Spanish coast guards as they searched his ship for smuggled goods. In 1739, British Vice Admiral Edward Vernon sailed a fleet into the Caribbean, where he won some victories before his eventual defeat at the Battle of Cartagena de Indias in 1741. After that climactic battle, the war fizzled out as the British soon had their hands full with other conflicts, such as the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) in Europe and King George's War (1744-1748) in North America.
More about: War of Jenkins' EarDefinition
Timeline
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9 Apr 1731Capt. Robert Jenkins of the Rebecca has his ear cut off by Spanish sailors searching his vessel for smuggled goods, the impetus for the War of Jenkins' Ear.
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15 Jun 1739King George II of Great Britain declares war on Spain for failing to provide restitution for Jenkins' severed ear; the War of Jenkins' Ear begins.
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21 Nov 1739British Vice Admiral Edward Vernon captures the Spanish port of Portobelo.
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13 Mar 1741 - 9 May 1741Battle of Cartagena de Indias; the grand British invasion force under Admiral Edward Vernon is defeated by Spanish defenders.
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18 Oct 1742Battle of Bloody Marsh; Gen. James Oglethorpe, leading Georgia militia and Indigenous allies, beat back a Spanish invasion of Georgia.
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18 Oct 1748The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle is signed, ending the War of the Austrian Succession and its related conflicts.
