The War of Jenkins' Ear was a conflict between Great Britain and Spain that lasted from 1739 to 1748. It began when British captain Robert Jenkins presented his severed ear to the British Parliament, claiming it was cut off by Spanish officials in the Caribbean. This incident fueled public outrage and contributed to the growing tensions between the two nations. The war was part of a larger struggle for colonial dominance and trade rights in the Americas. It included several naval battles and skirmishes, but it was ultimately overshadowed by the larger War of the Austrian Succession, which began in 1740.