MARITIME HEGEMONY

"Conflict Management, Cross-border relations and the Struggle for maritime Hegemony in the North Atlantic (XVIth-XVIIth centuries)"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'War between the French and Spanish crowns, the two Grand Powers of the sixteenth century, had important consequences in shaping collective identities and cross-border relations of frontier communities of both monarchies. That was the case of the Basque maritime provinces of Guipúzcoa in Spain, and Labourd in France. The hostility between these two frontier communities was not limited to the borderland region but in fact extended to the high-sea and beyond. The conflict embraced the Atlantic, not only in European waters but also in distant places like the Spanish-American colonies and especially the important Newfoundland fisheries. My research on the frontier-like confrontation between Guipúzcoa and Labourd corsairs/fishermen at home and in the rich fisheries of Newfoundland is relevant to explain progressive decay of the Spanish maritime policy, and so the ascension of the English and French in North-America. In this sense the study of judicial trials and local “peace treatises” (tratados de buena correspondencia, lies et passeries or lines of amity) between maritime communities constitues a perfect source to analyze the link between “public” and “private” warfare and the interplay between global strategy and local interests on important matters for both the crown and the communities such as fisheries, course, commerce and the navy. The aim of this project is to go further in the comprehension on the use of royal institutions and military apparatus by local communities in order to implement their own power strategies in relation with rival communities across the border and to what extent were royal authorities, both in the territory and the court, conscious of this fact. In the same fashion it is very important to understand the king’s interests at local level as well as his concern on political, social and economic stability in borderlands.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Man has often learned from history, and international conflicts are no exception to this rule. A look at an important European example could help civilisation manage its conflicts in a better way.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Historical conflicts between the Spanish and the French have shaped European history in interesting ways. The disputes involved not only the Basque communities on these countries' borders, but also control of Atlantic waters all the way to Spanish-American colonies up to important Newfoundland fisheries.

The EU-funded Maritime Hegemony project closely investigated this phenomenon. It looked at how these conflicts led to the disintegration of Spanish maritime policy, instead ushering in the primacy of the French and the English in North America.

Looking at peace treaties and legislation of the time, the project investigated the link between public and private warfare, examining the dynamics between local interests and international strategy as well. The monarchy, navy, role of commerce, fisheries and the economy were all affected by these developments.

Through this investigation, the project aimed to understand how local communities exploited royal institutions and the military to fight for power against communities from other nations and further their interests. It also looked at how aware the Spanish court and monarchy were of this exploitation, juxtaposing its concerns for social, political and economic stability in border areas.

The study focused on the second half of the 17th century, marked by two major events: the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659 and the reign of Louis XIV of France. Louis XIV abandoned the traditional role of judge king to assume one of warrior sovereign, with drastic impact on border communities and cross-border relations. Aspects of absolutist politics, sovereignty and obedience all came into play here.

In-depth research in Spanish, French and British libraries, combined with insights from experts, helped shed light on the global dynamics in times of conflict. With history often repeating itself and a world that continues its disputes, investigating this phenomenon over the long term could help improve policymaking and promote peace.