# War of Jenkins' Ear begins (1739)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1739-war-of-jenkins-ear-begins
Categories: battle

Commercial and imperial disputes with Spain led Britain into war in the Caribbean and Atlantic. Within the broader Georgian Britain period, parliamentary government, industrialization, imperial expansion, war with France and political reform turned Britain into a global commercial and military power. This event is placed at 1739 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The conflict merged into the wider War of the Austrian Succession and reflected growing imperial rivalry.

## Why it matters
The conflict merged into the wider War of the Austrian Succession and reflected growing imperial rivalry.

Ruler at the time: [George II](https://english-history.com/rulers/george-ii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — War of Jenkins' Ear begins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=War+of+Jenkins%27+Ear+begins&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — War of Jenkins' Ear begins](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=War+of+Jenkins%27+Ear+begins)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281700%E2%80%931799%29)
- [The National Archives — empire and industry resources](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/)