Western Design

The Western Design is the term commonly used for an English expedition against the Spanish West Indies during the 1654 to 1660 Anglo-Spanish War. Part of an ambitious plan by Oliver Cromwell to end Spanish dominance in the Americas, the force was short of supplies and many of the men poorly trained. Leadership was split between Robert Venables, commander of land forces, and Admiral William Penn; the relationship between the two quickly broke down, and they regarded each other with distrust and suspicion.

Western Design

The Western Design is the term commonly used for an English expedition against the Spanish West Indies during the 1654 to 1660 Anglo-Spanish War. Part of an ambitious plan by Oliver Cromwell to end Spanish dominance in the Americas, the force was short of supplies and many of the men poorly trained. Leadership was split between Robert Venables, commander of land forces, and Admiral William Penn; the relationship between the two quickly broke down, and they regarded each other with distrust and suspicion.