Convention of London (1786) facts for kids
The Convention of London was an important agreement signed on July 14, 1786. It was made between Great Britain and Spain. This agreement helped sort out who controlled certain British settlements in a place called the Mosquito Coast in Central America. It's also known as the Anglo-Spanish Convention.
Why the Agreement Was Needed
After the American War of Independence ended in 1783, a peace treaty called the Treaty of Paris was signed. Spain was part of this treaty. According to the 1783 treaty, British settlements on "Spanish land" were supposed to be emptied. This was similar to an earlier agreement from 1763, after the Seven Years' War.
However, British settlers living on the Mosquito Coast didn't want to leave. They argued that Spain had never truly controlled their area. So, they believed it wasn't really "Spanish land." Both Britain and Spain started to increase their military presence near the Black River Settlement, where most British settlers lived. To avoid a conflict, both countries decided to talk more and find a peaceful solution.
What the Agreement Decided
The agreement signed on July 14, 1786, settled the issue. Britain agreed to move all its settlers out of the "Country of the Mosquitos".
In return, Spain agreed to give British loggers more land on the Yucatan Peninsula. This new land allowed them to cut down valuable trees like mahogany and other hardwoods.
Even though the settlers on the Mosquito Coast didn't like the plan, the agreement went ahead. Britain moved more than 2,000 people. Most of them went to Belize. Others moved to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, or Roatán. The Black River Settlement was officially handed over to Spain on August 29, 1787. This was done by William Pitt, who was the grandson of the settlement's founder.
See also
In Spanish: Convención de Londres (1786) para niños
- List of treaties
