Cuba's Ten Years War: 1868-1878

• Cuba is located in the Greater Antilles and is the largest Caribbean island, neighboring Jamaica
• After the Haitian Revolution, Cuba became the world's leading sugar producer by 1804
• Cuba was a colony of Spain, which became rich using slave labor and modern technology to produce sugar

Unhappiness in Cuba

• Despite Cuba's wealth, most Cubans were unhappy due to the lack of involvement they had in their own government
• Important positions were held by Spanish officials, whom Cubans had to bribe to get anything done
• As a result, Cubans fought Spain for independence from 1868-1878, in the "Ten Years War"

Key Figures in the "Ten Years War"

• Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, the initial leader, freed slaves and revolted in 1868
• Spanish soldiers killed Carlos by 1874
• The Treaty of Zanjon ended the war in 1878, with Spain promising self-government and gradual abolition of slavery, although slavery was not abolished until 1886 and Cubans were not given self-government

The New War of Independence

• A new war began in 1895 led by José Martí, who wanted Cuba free from Spanish colonialism and American influence
• Martí joined Máximo Gómez and Antonio Maceo, raising funds to support their efforts
• Martí was killed by Spanish troops on May 19 but the fight continued
• Spain sent an army of 200,000, but was unable to suppress the revolt because of the guerilla tactics used by the Cuban warriors

U.S. Involvement

• The U.S. sent the USS Maine to Cuba to protect American interests but it exploded in Havana Harbor, leading to over 260 deaths
• The U.S. blamed Spain and declared war sending troops to Cuba, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico
• Spain was defeated in Cuba within ten days, and a peace treaty was signed December 10, 1898, recognizing Cuba's independence
• The U.S. militarily occupied Cuba from 1898 to 1902

The Platt Amendment

• In 1902, the U.S. agreed to hand over Cuba if they signed the Platt Amendment, which gave the U.S. complete control over Cuban affairs
• The Platt Amendment restricted Cuba from:
  • Concluding treaties with foreign powers
  • Borrowing money beyond their revenues
  • Controlling internal affairs like sanitation and health
  • Refusing U.S. bases
  • Allowing other countries' bases
  • Preventing U.S. intervention
• The Platt Amendment governed American relations with Cuba until 1934, but economic control remained with Americans until 1959
• Many Cuban presidents were puppets for the U.S., including Fulgencio Batista, a brutal dictator who maintained power by using military force

Key Terms Defined

• Nationalist: Advocates for the interests, independence, and unity of their nation
• Nationalist Liberator: Seeks political independence or sovereignty, overthrowing foreign rule
• Colony: Territory controlled by a more powerful country
• Colonist: Migrates to a colony to settle, establish a community, or exploit resources
• Colonialism: Political and economic domination by one country over foreign territories