In this interpretation, Cartagena showed that Spanish American colonies were too mature and well defended for easy seizure. Supporting dissatisfied local movements offered Britain another way to exert pressure on Spain. Anson's circumnavigation demonstrated a different capability: an expedition could reach Spanish possessions on the Pacific side of the Americas. His eight-ship squadron included Centurion and two supply vessels. The voyage displayed British naval reach while repeated failures in amphibious warfare exposed weaknesses in command and organization.
Notable Point · 21:01-23:37
Colonial strategy and Anson's global expedition
The war pushed Britain toward indirect pressure on Spanish America while George Anson's squadron demonstrated global naval reach.