1666 French Occupation of St. Kitts

The French occupation of St. Kitts in 1666 was a key event during the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665–1667), a conflict that extended beyond Europe to the Caribbean. As England and France vied for control of valuable colonies, St. Kitts, an island they had both settled, became a prime target in their battle for dominance.

Background: The Second Anglo-Dutch War

While the Second Anglo-Dutch War was primarily a naval conflict between England and the Dutch Republic, France allied with the Dutch, extending the war to the Caribbean. St. Kitts, shared between the English and French since the early 1600s, became a strategic battleground .

French Invasion and Occupation

In early 1666, French Admiral Joseph-Antoine Le Fèvre de La Barre launched an invasion of the English-controlled portion of St. Kitts. The French swiftly overran the English settlers, seizing control of their plantations and forcing many to flee. This occupation was part of a broader French effort to weaken England’s Caribbean colonies .

Though successful, the French occupation lasted only about a year. The war’s outcome was decided in Europe, leading to negotiations that restored St. Kitts to English control.

Consequences for St. Kitts

The brief French occupation had several major impacts on St. Kitts:

• Displacement of English Settlers: English colonists were expelled, and their plantations were taken over by the French, causing disruption to the island’s economy.
• Damage to Sugar Plantations: Fighting between the two powers damaged the sugar plantations, which were critical to the local economy. The resulting economic instability persisted even after the English regained control .
• Strategic Importance: The occupation highlighted St. Kitts’ importance as a colonial asset. Both England and France valued the island’s role in the Caribbean sugar trade, increasing tensions in the years to come .

The Treaty of Breda (1667)

The occupation ended with the signing of the Treaty of Breda in 1667, which concluded the Second Anglo-Dutch War. Under the treaty, St. Kitts was returned to English control, and the displaced settlers began to rebuild. Although the treaty resolved this particular conflict, it did not end the rivalry between England and France over the island .

Long-Term Impact

The 1666 French occupation was brief but significant in St. Kitts’ history. It exposed the island’s vulnerability during European wars and reinforced its importance in the Caribbean. The struggle between European powers over St. Kitts would continue for decades, as both England and France sought to control the island’s lucrative sugar industry .

While the European powers battled for control, the enslaved African population working on the plantations experienced little change. Regardless of which nation was in power, their lives remained defined by brutal labor and exploitation.

The Abolition of Slavery and Post-Emancipation

• 1807 – Abolition of the Slave Trade
• 1834 – Emancipation of Slaves
• 1838 – End of Apprenticeship

20th Century Developments

• 1932 – Founding of the St. Kitts Workers’ League
• 1952 – Universal Adult Suffrage
• 1967 – Associated Statehood
• 1978 – Death of Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw

Independence and Modern Developments

• 1983 – Independence
• 1998 – Nevis Secession Referendum
• 2005 – Hurricane Impact
• 2015 – Team Unity Government