El Niño, Environmental Crisis, and the Emergence of Alternative Markets in the Hispanic Caribbean, 1760s-70s.

Explains Spain's promotion of commercial connections between ports of the Caribbean and the American colonies during the eighteenth century through the impact of El Ni˜o events in the southern hemisphere and the increased hurricane activity in the Caribbean. Effect of climate changes on settlements of the Caribbean basin; Role of natural disasters on ensuring political change; Key factor to Spain's promotion of liberalization in Caribbean trade; Overview of trade policies implemented by Spain in Cuba and satellite cities.