The French Revolution and the resulting Napoleonic Wars are the catalyst for formal British takeover of Dutch Guiana.

The French occupy the Netherlands in 1795.

The British declare war on France and in 1796 launch an expeditionary force from Barbados to occupy the Dutch colonies.

The British takeover is bloodless, and local Dutch administration of the colony is left relatively uninterrupted under the constitution provided by the Concept Plan of Redress.

Both Berbice and the United Colony of Demerara and Essequibo are under British control from 1796 to 1802.

Both are returned to Dutch control by means of the Treaty of Amiens.

Peace is short-lived, however.

War between Britain and France resumes in less than a year, and the United Colony and Berbice are seized once more by British troops.

Both colonies will be formally ceded to Britain at the London Convention of 1814.