Spain enters the Seven Years War. Cuba becomes a key military objective for the British, and is invaded. Once occupied, the Port of Havana opens to free trade with Great Britain.
Commercial links develop between Cuba and North America.
Spain subsequently reacquires the colony and reimposes tight commercial restrictions. From this point, imperial policies fluctuate, but periodically permit the strengthening of the sugar industry on the island and commercial ties with the United States. The French National Convention emancipates French colonial slaves. Pinckney s Treaty establishes commercial relations between U.S. and Spain. A massive English invasion force takes back some lesser Antilles colonies, but fails to recapture Santo Domingo.