The Beginnings of Independence

After being thoroughly fed up with taxes and inefficient political systems, some Cubans declared Cuba’s independence on October 10^th, 1868. (C) Also in the mid-1800s, some Cubans and Americans were supporting the annexation of Cuba to the United States. This was a contributing factor to the Ten Years’ War in 1868. (D) Spain attempted, unsuccessfully, to evict rebels from the eastern half of Cuba. (B) Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, a planter, freed his slaves and issued the Grito de Yara decree, declaring Cuban independence. (A) Many Cubans, including wealthy sugar producers and slaves, did not join the revolt. (A) In 1878, the Pact of Zanjón was signed, ending the war with a treaty that promised political reforms and the liberation of slaves who had fought in the war. (D) Several Cubans refused to accept this, including the nationalist leader Antonio Maceo. In 1879, Calixto García brought about a second uprising called La Guerra Chiquita. It was squelched the following year by Spanish forces. (A)Slavery was also abolished in 1886. (D)