Given the prevalence of piracy in the fertile central valleys, why did governments not establish

outposts in those valleys? They seem like ideal inland locations, and would have greatly curbed
the piracy and smuggling that were harming the Spanish.
I am very surprised that this culture of smuggling and piracy was able to give rise to a
multinational community separate from any European country. It is very much a testament to
how the new world could bring populations together, as would later happen in North America.
Why was the British effort to conquer Santo Domingo so rushed and poorly thought out?
Insufficient supplies and weapons show a complete lack of preparation, and their massive losses
only highlight these deficiencies. Was the government not ready to commit to a true conquest?
It is amazing how resilient the pirate culture of the Caribbean is. It is mentioned many times how
the pirates were pushed out of certain settlements, such as Tortuga, yet were able to make their
way back and reestablished their culture in those locations.
I also did not expect how buccaneers actually formed the protection for Tortuga, which royal
governments would not provide. They seem to very much be champions of the people.

Why did the Windward Islands remain uninhabited in this period of rapid colonization?
I am surprised that sugar was able to dominate the Caribbean so quickly. Did colonists not worry
about competition driving the price down and lowering their profits? Diversification does not
seem to be one of their priorities.
Was it not possible to produce sugar in other parts of the world? How did Europeans acquire
sugar prior to colonizing the Caribbean?
I did not expect the rum industry to essentially be a byproduct of the sugar industry, especially
given its place in culture especially with piracy.
It is amazing that the sugar industry actually brought citizens from the two countries together,
despite their two home nations being at war. I think this speaks to how the western colonies were
very much separated from their parent nations, as was also the case later in the North American
colonies.
What impact did the American Revolution have on the Caribbean sugar industry?
What were the benefits and costs of growing tobacco as compared to sugar on the islands?
I was surprised that Charles III was willing to give Cuba exceptions to continue its growth. A
common pattern seemed to be that royal governments wanted absolute authority and control over
their colonies, but perhaps the prospects of Cuba were too promising to restrict in such a way.