History of Conquest and Colonization in Cuba

Conquest and Colonization

From 1512 to 1519 Diego Velázquez de Cuellar carried out Cuba's conquest and colonization in the name of the Spanish Crown. It was a relatively easy task for the conquistadors as they encountered weak Indian opposition. There was some exceptions of resistance, such as the Indian chiefs Guamá and Hatuey, the latter came from Haiti to warn the Cuban aborigines about the Spanish threat. He directed an active rebellion, but was captured and burned at the stake. The first seven Spanish villages which were founded began on the east coast and moved west, including, in order of foundation: Baracoa (1512), Bayamo (1513), Trinidad, Sancti-Spíritus y Puerto Prínciple (1514), Santiago de Cuba (1515) and San Cristóbal de La Habana (1519). The indigenous population was completely exterminated in less than a century, in spite of the protecting efforts on the part of Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas. Therefore, the introduction of African slaves as labor force was the next alternative.

Unsatisfied with the poor gold deposits on the island, Cuba became the launching point for new expeditions to the continent, as well as a port for ships returning to Spain loaded with riches. Towards the middle of the 16th century, the island's population was dwindling as a result of the Indian extermination and the departure of the conquistadors to other regions. However, Cuba was still of vital importance as a defensive bastion against France, Holland and England's expansionist intentions. Havana, the island's chief port for traffic of all riches, immediately called the attention of pirates and buccaneers who plagued the Caribbean in those days. The continuous attacks led to the creation of impressive network of fortresses. The attacks on ports, settlements and ships became ever more frequent during the 17th century, when France, England and Holland joined efforts in the Corsairs War in order to challenge Spain's dominion in the New World. In 1697, hostilities among these European powers finally came to an end.

Meanwhile Havana had evolved into the new capital city with an astounding fortification system. The constant trafficking of slaves and goods through its port, gave the city a peculiar vitality never seen in any other city around the world. Although agriculture and tobacco cultivation were greatly encouraged, the rest of the country was alienated from this economic boom. Because of the limited trading opportunities as a result of the Spanish monopoly on trade with the island, Cuba soon became a smugglers paradise. Smuggling was a huge boost for an economy favoring the exchange of Cuban products with those from the Old World.

Although the population had grown towards the end of the 18th century with the arrival of new waves of Spanish immigrants along with the relentless introduction of African slaves, Cuba was still a small colony. In 1762, Havana was placed under siege and conquered by the British, who ruled the island for 11 months. Social and economic structures drastically changed in such a short time. Trade restrictions were lifted and free commerce with the British colonies in North America and other European countries began. The slave trade intensified, becoming a determining factor in the growing sugar industry. With the Treaty of Paris in 1763, Havana returned to Spanish hands in Exchange for Florida.

The new King of Spain, Carlos III, allowed the continuation of the new status quo and capitalizing on Haiti's Revolution, Cuba was turned into the biggest sugar producer of the world. At that time sugar was one of the most profitable exports to Europe. At the beginning of the 19th Century, the new Creole aristocracy emerged, which did not harbor the same interests as those of the metropolis. A feeling of Cuban nationality arose, essentially advocated by prominent intellectuals of the time: Felix Varela, José María Heredia and José Antonio Saco, among others. The independence of Central and South American colonies forced Spain to offer concessions to Cuba; at the same time the governor was granted absolute power. The 1840s witnessed years of rebellions and uprisings, which were violently repressed in spite of the Creole aristocracy and intellectuals determination to achieve the island's total independence.

On October 10, 1868, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, at his sugar mill "La Demajagua", set his slaves free and summoned all Cubans to fight for independence. After the city of Bayamo was captured by rebel fighters, they formed a governmental body with Céspedes as the first President of the Republic in Arms. Ten days after the start of the war, the National Hymn was sung for the first time, and this date is considered today the National Day for Culture. Despite these early successes, several mistakes contributed to the emerging republic's failure. First, the indecision of not invading the western part of the country in order to spread the war and undermine Spain's economic support, added to by the indifference among the leaders. This hindered the campaign's success which dragged on for ten long years and finally attained neither Cuba's independence nor the abolition of slavery. The Treaty at "El Zanjón" achieved peace without independence, and therefore was rejected by some of the leaders, among them General Maceo who lead the historical Protest of Baraguá. In 1879, Spain announced plans for the abolition of slavery in Cuba; this did not take effect until 1986. Cuba was the last Spanish colony in America to abolish slavery. This prompted a surge in Asian immigrants who provided a Asian labor force.

During the last decade of the 19th century, in spite of rebellions and protests, life on the island kept the same in spite of unfulfilled promises of reforms. In 1892, the Cuban intellectual José Martí unified and organized the Cuban forces in favor of independence with the founding of the first Revolutionary Party while exiled in Tampa. Hostilities recommenced on February 24, 1895. Unfortunately for the Cuban cause, Martí was killed in action shortly war broke out. Máximo Gómez and Antonio Maceo, who had risen to prominence during the previous campaigns, did finally spread the war to the west, gradually freeing the country. The situation was spinning out of control. The Spaniards sent a ruthless Captain General: Valeriano Weyler, who carried out a massive reconcentration of the population. Farmers were transferred to fortified camps to prevent them from helping the rebels or "mambises" (name given to the Cuban rebels). Defensive lines (trochas) were also built from north to south to limit the movements of the rebel troops. In Pinar del Río province, the Spaniards exerted strong pressure against the insurgents and Maceo was killed on December 1896. As a consequence of war, plantations were destroyed, cities were sacked and casualties amounted to thousands. Weyler´s methods brought the country into economic ruin. In 1897, Antonio Cánovas, the Spanish Prime Minister and hard-line opponent to Cuba's independence, was assassinated. This prompted a pressed new government to resolve the Cuban conflict by granting autonomy to the island. Weyler resigned in June 1897 while the Spaniards tried to talk the Cubans into remaining under Spain's sponsorship, but by then Cubans wouldn't settle for nothing short of total independence.