Colonial Life

        By the 1570s, most residents of Spanish towns in Cuba were a mix of Spanish, African, and Indian heritages. (A) The population grew slowly, in 1700, there were no more than 50,000 colonists. (C) In the 17^th century, colonial life was greatly impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes, but attacks from pirates and rival European countries were also a factor. (D) Colonial life was not awful. Rural life was mainly patriarchal and large families often lived together. Upper-class women didn’t work, but many often reached fairly high levels of education. Life could be difficult at times, with diseases like cholera, malaria, and influenza. Dangerous areas were also beginning to develop. (A) Political and economic relations between Cuba and Spain had been strained by the increased need for labor, money, and machines. The island was also under a corrupt and stubborn colonial administration. (C)