While contacts with the New World had been established over the two preceding centuries, with the creation of the Court and Table of the Indies, as well as the privilege of the «third of fruits» on Carrera ships, it was truly in the seventeenth century that Cadiz’s overseas trade reached its zenith. In the eighteenth century, the Casa de la Contratación and the Consulado or Universidad de Cargadores (May 1717) were relocated to Cadiz, marking the beginning of a new era: that of the Cadiz monopoly. This period extended from 1717, when the relocation occurred, until 1778, when trade with America was regulated by the Free Trade Regulations (Reglamento de Libre Comercio). Even in this last stage (1778-1828), Cadiz was still able to retain the greater portion of the Overseas trade, up to 76.5% of exports and 84% of imports, a success due to the lack of change in mercantile flows and the advantage of its infrastructures.
Cadiz, Overseas Trade, Monopoly, Free Trade.