Caribbean conquests as bargaining chips for Canada

Naval power made some islands relatively easy for Britain to seize again in a future war, so permanent retention was not always the most valuable result. Captured colonies could instead be exchanged at the negotiating table for other strategic objectives. France was probably the stronger military power, but its failure to overwhelm Britain and its allies weakened its negotiating position. Island losses added to the cost of continuing the conflict and gave Britain possessions that France wanted returned. In the Seven Years' War settlement, Martinique and other gains strengthened Britain's position as it sought recognized control of Canada.