historians conclude that the devastations of osorio constituted an error that brought no benefits to the colonists nor to the spanish crown. instead, it left the economy of the island in a state of crisis and stagnation that lasted several decades. in addition, it presented an opportunity for foreigners and enemies of spain to settle the abandoned territory, who later formed the french colony of saint domingue. from the 18th century, thanks to its productive sugar and coffee plantations, it became one of the strongest economies of the caribbean and the principal colony of france.