The Virginia Capes: The Man Who in One Year Lost the American Revolution and Created the British Empire

George Rodney had already saved the American colonies once. In 1756-63 during the Seven Years  (French and Indian) War he was one of the key figures preventing France conquering British North America. In 1781 Britain was again in a global war with France and Rodney was one of the few men who knew how to win it. But it would be his absence at the critical battle of the Virginia Capes that this time would result in Britain losing the 13 colonies. Yet within the same year Rodney’s actions would preserve the wealthier Caribbean colonies and create the foundations upon which the British Empire would be built.

This work has located maps of the Caribbean and colonial trade as a vast majority of trade/supplies to the American colonial forces came through the Caribbean. Most American students are aware of the critical role of the Caribbean in the American Revolution. This project finds maps and documents that show the interconnection of Britain/Caribbean and 13 colonies to show their importance for Britain and the 13 colonies.

Finally, we will show how this effects Britain via Jamaican sugar wealth/trade and the vital role of that in the birth of the Industrial Revolution and British Imperial strength.