French Basque and Béarnais trade diaspora from the Spanish Basque Country during the eighteenth century

Abstract

Many French Basque and Béarnais merchants, such as Antonio and Fermin Tastet, settled in the Spanish Basque Country during the eighteenth century, were able to insert themselves into the Spanish global trade network thanks to their border location, cultural similarities, smuggling experience, links to the Royal Company of Caracas (set up in 1728), and personal connections. At the same time, they provided Spanish Basque merchants and ports with their own networks developed during the seventeenth century and the first half of the eighteenth century. In Spain, they amassed their fortunes, taking advantage of pre-existing trade networks and forging new relationships spanning and interconnecting all five continents. This was made possible by the presence of Spanish and French Basque and Béarnais merchants all over the world, who formed a trade diaspora. Where no Spanish, French Basque or Béarnais agent was available, these merchants usually had recourse to foreign agents, who at the same time represented European trading companies.