From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The flota system was the method of trade that the Spanish used to send trade goods to their early colonies in South America and "New Spain" (Mexico). Each year, a fleet of commercial vessels (the flota) controlled by Seville merchants was escorted to Spain's American colonies by a series of warships. It would travel to a few select ports, and then, once unloaded, would be filled with silver and gold bullion. The ships would then wait out the winter in one of Spain's heavily fortified Caribbean ports. After that, they would travel back to Spain. This was Spain's main method of controlling their trade monopoly over their colonies, because the Flota formed the only authorized sea trade. This system was loosened under Charles III, the third Bourbon king of Spain, in 1765.
