What Came After...

Spain gave up all rights to the island and the US set up a military government in Cuba. In 1901, Cuba adopted a constitution that included a set of requirements called the Platt Amendment, that had been included upon the US’ insistence. The Platt amendment limited Cuban independence, allowing the US to intervene in their political affairs. It also limited the power of the Cuban government to make other treaties. One of the requirements that the US included was the right to buy or lease land for naval bases. Another treaty in 1903 gave the US a permanent lease on Guantánamo Bay for a naval base. (D) In 1934, most aspects of the Platt Amendment were repealed, but Guantánamo Bay stayed. (A)

Finally... Independence!

In the early 1890s, Cubans began readying themselves for independence again. (D) José Martí was one of the main organizers of the Cuban Revolutionary Party (D); a poet and patriot, he had planned in New York and gained Yankee support. (B) Cuba launched into war again on February 24^th, 1895 and Martí died on May 19^th. (C) Soon after, the Foster-Cánovas treaty that Spain and the US had signed ended, removing taxes on Cuban sugar in American markets. This left Cuba economically weakened.  Spain had also deployed over 200,000 troops, and ensuing battles killed many civilians and left many places burned down. These weakened economy and massive casualties caused economic activity to come to a standstill. Economic interests pushed the US to get involved, and when there was a mysterious explosion on the U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbor, the US officially entered the war. (C) In 1896, General Valeriano Weyler Y Nicolau of Spain headed the 200,000 troops, treating rural residents harshly, forcing them into camps where tens of thousands died. (A) The sugarcane crop was destroyed by rebels. After the US entered the war, their forces captured Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Cuban independence was granted by the Treaty of Paris on December 10^th, 1898. (A)

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)

Sugar Production and the Effect on the Economy

In the 17^th century, sugar was emerging as the most important Cuban export. The cultivation of sugarcane was expanded and production of coffee began. (D) Since productions were expanded, more cheap labor was needed, so the Spanish crown encouraged the importation of slaves. The Havana Company was established for importing slaves in 1740, but it was not successful. (C) In response to the awful treatment of slaves, José Antonio Aponte planned a revolt, but was discovered and beheaded. Havana was the political, cultural, and economic center of the island. It was captured by the British in 1762 during the Seven Years’ War (or the French and Indian War in America), but they turned control back to Spain the following year. Britain used the year they had Havana to establish trade ties between Cuba and colonies in North America. (D) Between the years of 1838 and 1880, the sugar industry had become the most mechanized in the world. Steam mills and railroads had been put to use, small farmers became useless, and forests were destroyed. By 1850, sugar had become four-fifths of all Cuban exports, and in the decade that followed, Cuba was producing one-third of the world’s sugar. The sugar production was so successful that it led to a new class of wealthy plantation owners who needed labor, leading to the hiring of Mexican Indians and Chinese contract workers. (A)

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)

Initial Conquest

        When Columbus landed on the island of Cuba in 1492, 3 tribes of natives were occupying the land: the Guanahatabey, Ciboney, and Taino. (D) The Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar began bringing settlers in 1511, 300 Spaniards with slaves,(A) with soldiers and priests among them. (D) The Spaniards quickly took control and forced the indigenous people to farm and mine. (D) The native population began a steady decrease. By 1515, Spain had already divided Cuba into seven municipalities, all with their own councils. At first, settlers were attracted by word of gold deposits, but most of it was already gone by the 1540s. By 1550 the Indian population had fallen to below 5,000. (C)The Spanish were no longer able to exploit the natives as they used to; the population was too low for that. The slaves that the Spanish had taken with them had a better social standing than the natives up until the end of the 16^th century. (A)