British Capture of Havana and Manila (1762)

During the Seven Years' War, Britain declared war on Spain in January 1762 following the Family Compact. British forces subsequently captured the major Spanish colonial ports of Havana in Cuba and Manila in the Philippines, holding them until their return to Spain under the 1763 Treaty of Paris.

Episodes

Background and detail

Diplomatic Context. Spain abandoned neutrality by signing the Family Compact with France, an offensive alliance directed against Britain. In December 1761, Spain imposed an embargo on British trade and expelled merchants. Britain declared war on Spain on 4 January 1762, and Spain reciprocated on 18 January, initiating the Anglo-Spanish War.

Siege of Havana. The British Royal Navy captured Havana, the Spanish Empire's main port in the West Indies, in 1762. Although fortification improvements had begun in 1761, the city fell to British forces. Havana remained under British occupation until February 1763, when it was returned to Spain under the Treaty of Paris.

Battle of Manila. The Battle of Manila occurred from 24 September to 6 October 1762, resulting in the capture of the Spanish capital of the Philippines. The British occupation lasted 18 months until the city was returned to Spain in April 1764. The expedition also captured the treasure ship Filipina and the Spanish ship Santísima Trinidad.

People involved

Sources

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