Sugar cane has dramatically increased Spain's earnings…
1548 CE
Sugar cane has dramatically increased Spain's earnings on Hispaniola, but large numbers of the newly imported enslaved people have continued to flee into the nearly impassable mountain ranges in the island's interior, joining the growing communities of cimarrónes—literally, 'wild animals'.
Cimarron bands had become so numerous by the 1530s that in rural areas the Spaniards could only safely travel outside their plantations in large armed groups.
To add to the Spanish Empire’s troubles, the Caribbean Sea has by the 1540s become overrun with English, French and Dutch pirates.
Spain had in 1541 authorized the construction of Santo Domingo's fortified wall, and had decided to restrict sea travel to enormous, well-armed convoys.
Enslaved Africans in and around Santo Domingo in 1548 stage a third revolt, which is as unsuccessful as had been the previous two insurrections.
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