Thread by @NinaVzqz23

🧵Let's talk about Vieques, PR and England! From the late 16th century to the 17th century, Vieques found itself at the heart of a debate over whether or not it was ruled by Spanish or English crowns. While the larger island of the archipelago of Puerto Rico was firmly under

Spanish colonization, Vieques, a smaller island, was not fully occupied by Spanish forces. The Anguilla people, residing in communities in Puerto Rico, began asserted their claim to Vieques, affectionately calling it "Crab Island." This period marked Vieques as a notorious hub

for pirates, given the limited Spanish presence on the island. Exploiting this vulnerability, there were attempts to "give" Vieques to the English Crown, facilitated by the belief that the island belonged to "no one."

Three notable colonization attempts were made in 1683, 1688, and 1717, reflecting the strategic and contested nature of the island during this era.
The turning point occurred in 1718 when Spanish forces from Puerto Rico launched an attack on Crab Island AKA Vieques.

Despite spirited resistance from the Anguilla people, they were ultimately overwhelmed.

Some were killed, and others were taken as prisoners to Puerto Rico. However, a significant number managed to escape to the eastern side of Crab Island, where they were later rescued.

The aftermath of the conflict witnessed the destruction of the settlers' fort and their crops.

Under the English Crown, Governor Hamilton issued a proclamation prohibiting future settlement on Crab Island, reflecting the turmoil of the time. The prisoners, after enduring a journey through various Spanish ports including Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Hispaniola,

were eventually released and returned to Anguilla in December 1718.

It wasn't until around 1811 that formal Spanish colonization efforts commenced on the island of Vieques. By 1836, the Spanish government in Puerto Rico initiated the documentation and drafting of plans

outlining the establishment and governance of Vieques. This marked a pivotal moment in Vieques' history, as it transitioned from a contested territory to a formally recognized part of the Spanish colonial administration.

I hope you all learned something new! This was inspired by my students talking about Pirates of the Caribbean during one of my sessions with them!