Vintage Images Of Cuban History

Cuba

The Republic of Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean Sea, and the 7th largest in the world. The main landmass of Cuba is known as the principal island, which is a total area of about 42,426 square miles, however, Cuba is comprised of 4,195 islands (officially known as archipelagos) which are scattered in the sea area surrounding Cuba's principal island. The four prominent archipelagos are called Colorados, Sabana-Camagüey, Jardines de la Reina, and Canarreos. The Republic of Cuba is west of the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Gulf of Mexico, south of the Straits of Florida, and northwest of the Windward Passage, which is a strait in the Caribbean Sea that connects with the Atlantic Ocean, and Cuba is northeast of the Yucatán Channel, a strait between Mexico and Cuba. Havana is the capital city of Cuba and when this article was written the population of Cuba was about 11.2 million. The official spoken language in Cuba is Spanish, but there are also several other frequently spoken languages in Cuba, such as Haitian Creole, Lucumi, Galician, Corsican, English, and French. The island of Cuba is known for its variety of ecosystems, forests, wetlands, and coral reefs. Cuba is also famous for its vibrant culture, stunning cities and beaches, beautiful national parks, and fascinating architecture, not to mention a rich variety of music, cigars, rum, and cocktail drinks. Because Cuba is forever cloaked in the mystique of a bygone era, it is regarded as a unique place with a most captivating display of vintage classical American cars that are perceived by some people as veritable embellishments endlessly roaming the streets of Cuba from sunrise until sundown.

Christopher Columbus: A Land Called Cuba (1492)

Christopher Columbus (born 1451- died 1506) was a famous Italian navigator and explorer, who was the first European to discover Cuba in 1492, which is the largest Island in the Caribbean Sea. Columbus originally named the island 'Isla Juana' but later decided to rename it Cuba also known as Coaban, which means 'Great Place'. The indigenous population that originally inhabited the island consisted of three ethnic groups, namely, Taíno, Guanahatabey, and Ciboney, who were said to be a society of farmers and hunter-gatherers. After official details about Cuba had been provided to the Spanish government, the Crown commanded Spanish Governor Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar to sail to Cuba to undertake a military campaign to remove the indigenous inhabitants from certain regions across the island so that Spain could gain full control of those areas, however, historians also claim that a significant portion of the indigenous population on the island lost their lives because they contracted certain European diseases from the Spanish settlers due to their immune system not responding sufficiently well against such diseases. Following their military campaign on the island, Spanish settlers built the first Spanish colony in 1511 at Baracoa, said to be one of the oldest towns anywhere within the Americas.

Spain-Cuba Relations (1492 - 1898)

Cuba became part of the Empire of Spain from 1492 to 1898, and over the first three centuries the island was partly utilised as a harbour for Spanish fleets on their way to the New World to obtain mineral wealth from the South American continent and set up colonies there. Cuba possessed expansive rolling hills and plains, rich fertile soils, consistent rainfall, and a perfect climate for agriculture, such as producing sugarcane, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans, as well as livestock. Also, from the 16th century Spain began to transport significant quantities of African slaves to Cuba to assist with their lucrative farming ambitions. A key event in Cuba's checkered history was the Haitian Revolution, in nearby Saint-Domingue, which spanned 1791 to 1804. The Haitian Revolution was essentially a successful slave uprising, which initiated an exodus of over 300,000 French settlers from Haiti to Cuba. Interestingly, according to historians, at one point in history, Haiti was the riches colony in the world, and a leading producer of coffee, indigo, cacao, cotton, and sugar.

After the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804), by the early 19th century Haiti had ceased to be the most successful sugar-producing colony in the world. Meanwhile, many of Haiti's Creole business community relocated to settle in Cuba at the beginning of the 19th century, also it was said that their business expertise and ingenuity had significantly helped the Cuban economy. In addition, controversially, the Spanish authorities enacted harsh protectorate policies as well as the continuation of an ever-increasing work force of African slaves which had also significantly contributed to the Cuban economy. These factors culminated in a sugar revolution in Cuba which spectacularly transformed Cuba into the successful sugar producing colony in the Caribbean by the mid-to late 19th century. The Cuban sugar production was so successful it replaced tobacco, and agriculture as the main income source in Cuba, and since Spain had a vested interest on the island it continued to provide substantial support to Cuba's economy. Some historians have claimed it was for these reasons that Cuba delayed a progression for independence from Spain in the early nineteenth century.

The Ten Year War (1868-1878)

During the late 19th century Cuba began the Struggle for independence from Spanish colonialism and US control. There were three liberation wars that Cuba fought against Spain, beginning with the Ten-Year War (1868-1878), followed by the Small War (1879-1890), and finally the Cuban War of Independence (1895-1898). Prior to the first war the Spanish implemented laws which forced many Cubans to endure excessive taxations, trade restrictions, and the exclusion of native Cubans from working within their own government. These policies evoked resentment and antagonism against the Spanish and strained relations between the two nations continued to escalate, at the same time, Cuban nationalism spread rapidly across the Island. In 1868, Cuban patriot and plantation owner, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (1819-1874), collaborated with other Cuban patriots to rebel against the Spanish, and they began to free native slaves on the Island and then proclaimed Cuba to be a free nation. This event marked the beginning of a protracted Ten-Year War (1868-1878), also known as the Great War, which was Cuba's fight for independence. In Cuban history, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes became posthumously revered as a Cuban revolutionary and his deeds as made him a celebrated national hero.

The Ten-Year War between Cuba and Spain (1868-1878), ultimately failed to win independence for Cuba, as that war had ended in a stalemate, and on 11 February 1878, both nations signed the Treaty of Zanjón at a meeting in Zanjón, Camagüey, this agreement officially marked the end of the Ten-Year War. There were various reasons why the Ten-Year War proved indecisive. Firstly, the Spanish forces became significantly depleted after they suffered immense fatalities due to contracting yellow fever (a tropical disease) during their military missions in Cuba. In addition, Spain's war campaign with Cuba was adversely affected by a Spanish civil war called the 'Third Carlist War' which was concurrently taking place in Spain between 1872 and 1876. Meanwhile, the Cuban forces were a conglomerate of fighting men which included, Cuban slaves, Creoles, Americans, Europeans, and the Mambi forces. The term was used to identify certain revolutionary guerrilla fighters, particularly from Santo Domingo (currently Dominican Republic). But the main issues for the Cuban insurgencies were that the leaders of their forces were not always in agreement with each other, over their war plans against the Spanish forces, and did not always co-ordinate their military strategies effectively.

The Small War (1878-1879)

After the Ten-Year War there was continued hostilities between Cuba and Spain, since Cuba was still a colony, and shackled to the extremely harsh policies of the Spanish government. This state of affairs eventually caused the Little War or the Small War (1878-1879). The Cuban rebels who had decided to fight in the Small War were commanded by the revolutionary Cuban leader Calixto Garcia. History records that Calixto Garcia was one of the few revolutionary leaders who had not signed the Treaty of Zanjón in 1878, therefore, he did not feel obliged to honour that agreement. However, a majority of the Cuban population were war-weary from the previous war and possessed little faith in a glorious outcome. Therefore, many Cubans did not offer their support for the Small War and unlike the first war campaign, the rebel leaders were unable to galvanize enough foreign support. Furthermore, the revolutionaries were unable to obtain sufficient weapons and ammunitions to fight for their cause and the Small War ended with the inevitable defeat of the rebels.

The Cuban War Of Independence (1895-1898)

The Cuban War of Independence spanned (1895–1898), it was also known as Necessary War, and this was the third and final war fought by Cuba against Spain for independence. Spain had continued to impose crippling taxes on Cuba and placed restrictions on their international trading arrangements, these were two of many reasons for the Cuban revolt against Spain in 1895. The Cuban patriot and revolutionary leader José Martí (born 1853 - died 1895) is said to have played a major role in spearheading the 1895 revolt against the Spanish. However, he was tragically killed during the Battle of Dos Ríos on 19 May 1895. In Cuban history José Martí (writer, philosopher, professor, and publisher) is considered a Cuban national hero for his role in the eventual liberation of Cuba from Spain. During the Cuban war of independence, the Cuban forces achieved an important moral boosting victory against the Spanish, which occurred at the Battle of Ceja del Negro on 4 October 1896. The rebel soldiers were commanded by Cuban Generals Antonio Maceo and Juan Rius Rivera, meanwhile, the Spanish troops were led by a Spanish Colonel called Granados. The major battle occurred at Ceja del Negro, and although the Spanish forces were far superior in numbers and military capabilities, the Cuban forces exhibited better organisation and fighting tactics, and ultimately, they achieved a remarkable historic victory.

The Spanish-American War (1898 - 1898)

America began a war with Spain in 1898 called the Spanish-American War, and this war coincidentally assisted Cuba in its quest for independence. There had already existed hostile international relations between America and Spain, moreover, the USA was concerned about its economic interests in Cuba as well as its strategic interest in a future Panama Canal. However, on 15 February 1898, a mysterious explosion erupted on the USS Maine, a USA navy ship, which was based in the Havana Harbor, and following this event American newspapers that were engaged in yellow journalism (sensationalistic or biased journalism), attempted to increase their readership by claiming that the Spanish were responsible for the war ship's destruction, which caused the death of 250 American lives. This event proved to be the catalyst that prompted America to start a war with Spain which spanned 1898-1898. Ultimately, the USA prevailed in the conflict, and subsequently when the representatives of Spain and the United States signed the Treaty of Paris on 10 December 1898 (Promulgated on 11 April 1899), the Spanish agreed to several major concessions, namely, Spain ceded Puerto Rico and Guam to America, and was also compelled to sell the Philippines Islands for $20 million to the USA. This was the first overseas purchase of foreign land by the United State, meaning, this was the moment in history the USA had officially become an Empire.

The Platt Amendment

The Platt Amendment was enacted in 1901, and it was named after American Senator Orville H. Platt (born 1827 - died 1905), who had introduced the amendment to an Army Appropriation bill which was enacted in 1880 that set terms for ending the US occupation of Cuba. The Platt Amendment compelled Cuba to allow the United States to intervene in some of Cuba's internal affairs and lease an area of Cuba's territory for the operation of US naval bases on the island which included an area called Guantanamo Bay. The terms of the Amendment prohibited the Cuban government from entering any international treaty that may compromise Cuban independence or allow any foreign powers, except the US to utilize the island for military purposes. The Act also permitted US certain involvement in Cuban international and domestic affairs in order to maintain law and order and enforce Cuban independence. The terms of the Platt Amendment for US-Cuban relations were essentially an unequal treaty which had provided the US with significant dominance over Cuba.

During the early years of Cuba's new found independence, US-Cuban relations was considered to be relatively stable, and Cuba's economy began to flourish, especially from the 1910s, when there was a shortage of sugar supply in certain parts of the world during and after the first World War, which was a situation that had generated an economic boom in Cuba. Yet, within Cuba there emerged a steady increase of crime syndicates, political corruption, violence, and people's revolts, collectively these events began to impact very adversely on Cuban society. As a result, the United States had intervened militarily in Cuban affairs in 1906, 1917, and the early 1920s. These interventions were attempts by America to suppress people insurrections and resolve or mediate extreme political hostilities between opposing political groups within Cuba, as well as protect all American business interests that were situated within Cuba.

Cuban Authoritarian Regime

Gerardo Machado y Morales (born 1871 - died 1939) became president of Cuba from 1925 - 1933. Machado had already achieved popularity in Cuba when he served as Cuba's general during the War of Cuban Independence between 1895 and 1898. However, his government began to lose public support once his administration became a despotic regime. With the support of the Cuban army and police force, Machado's government was able to implement policies which curtailed free speech and repress any opposition parties that competed against his rule. Also, following Machado's re-election in 1928, many Cubans were outraged because Machado had violated his pledge not to run for more than one term. In addition, the 1930s world depression had severely impacted on the Cuban economy and society, meaning, many Cubans were living in abject poverty and extremely unhappy with their government's policies. Meanwhile, the increasing interference and control of Cuba's economy by the US had caused deep resentment within Cuba and exacerbated the Cuban-US relations.

National protests continued unabated against the Cuban government until finally Gerardo Machado y Morales was forced to abdicate on 12 August 1933, immediately after which, he fled Cuba to live in the Bahamas. A provisional government was quickly installed, brokered by US ambassador Summer Wells. The interim government was headed by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes y Quesada (born 1871 - died 1939. Céspedes was a Cuban revolutionary, diplomat, and writer, who expressed a gesture of goodwill by freeing over 30 slaves on his plantation and he had emphatically uttered 'Grito de Yara' on 10 October 1868, a famous proclamation that Cuba was a free nation. This event marked the beginning of Cuba's ten-year war (1868-1878) against Spain in search of their independence. However, US ambassador Summer Wells's first choice as the new Cuban president was Cuban General Alberto Herrera Franchi (born 1874 - died 1954), but the US ambassador's choice was strongly opposed by the Cuban army rebels as they feared Herrera would not be accepted by the majority of Cubans due to his infamous despotic reputation, and his close association with the previously deposed president Gerardo Machado. But given there was a power vacuum at that moment, General Alberto Herrera had pledged to serve as the interim president between 12 - 13 August 1933, but only until Céspedes was officially installed in-office. Unfortunately, Céspedes's tenure as Cuba's president was short-lived, lasting barely one month, spanning 13 August - 5 September 1933, because he was forced to resign due to the Sergeant's Revolution which took place on 5 September 1933.

The Sergeant's Revolt (4-5 September 1933)

The prolonged vacuum of instability within the Cuban parliament prompted certain senior officers within the Cuban military to take drastic action in order to save their nation from what they perceived as an inevitable spiral towards anarchy. The Cuban revolution of 1933, also known as the Sergeants' Revolt, was a coup d’etat that occurred in Cuba between 4 - 5 September 1933. It began as a revolt involving several sergeants, some of which had emerged from retirement, together with some Cuban intellectuals and disgruntled soldiers, as well as student activists from the Directorio Estudiantil Universitario (DEU). The new conglomeration attempted to instigate radical political reforms intending to profoundly transform Cuban society. Immediately following the coup, a five-member executive committee called the 'Pentarchy of 1933' (also known as the Executive Commission of the Provisional Government of Cub) was chosen to head a provisional government. This coalition was briefly in charge of Cuba from 5 September until 10 September 1933. Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar (1901-1973) was a Cuban military officer, who opposed the proposed policies by the new Cuban administration in 1933. Particularly those policies relating to reduction of pay and restrictions of promotions for certain officers within the Cuban army. Batista was one of the sergeants who joined forces with the militant students on 4 September 1933 and assisted the overthrow of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes on 5 September 1933. In Cuban history, this event was unprecedented, and it resulted in the assimilation of the Cuban military with the then Cuban government. Following the installation of the new administration, the dethroned General Herrera, hastily departed Cuba. Meanwhile, the ambitious Fulgencio Batista, seized the opportunity to generate support for himself from within the military ranks and with little or no oppositions, later that year, Batista felt confident enough to officially declare himself General of the Cuban army.

The Hundred Days Government (1933-1934)

Following the installation of the five-member executive committee (the Pentarchy of 1933) there was intense debate by the members of the committee as to who should be the next president. It was eventually decided that Cuban physician Dr. Ramón Grau San Martín (born 1887- died 1969), also known as Raymond Grau San Martin should be the next Cuban president. Dr. Ramón Grau was initially one of the five members of the Pentarchy committee 5 - 10 September 1933 and his new government put forward a progressive agenda, some of which were a raise of minimum wage and a 8 hour work day, the establishment of a Department of Labour, the nationalisation of the Cuban electric company, as well as many other sweeping reforms. Unfortunately, Grau's administration encountered stubborn resistance to many of the proposed reforms by other parties and members parliament. And the situation was made worse when Grau's administration became tarnished by corruption charges, and persistent internal political power struggles. Moreover, the US refused to recognize Grau's government partly because the US was opposed to Grau's policies, and because Grau was not elected to power by virtue of an official general election. Meanwhile, behind the scenes General Batista was involved in ongoing discussions on the issues in question with the US and other political groups in Cuba. After numerous intense debates, General Batista engineered a coup on 14 January 1934, which curtailed the presidency of Ramón Grau and as result his governance became known as the Hundred Days Government. Thereafter, General Batista became the next Cuban president spanning over 20 years.

Carlos Prío Socarrás (born 1903- died 1977): Cuban President (1948-1952)

Carlos Prío Socarrás (born 1903- died 1977) became president of Cuba between 1948 - 1952, and some of Carlos Socarrás's accomplishments included the creation of the National Bank of Cuba, the extension of major highways, and the construction of several public works. In Cuba sugar was the dominant commodity and major export contracts had been arranged with the United States as well as other nations around the globe, and following World War II, the Cuban sugar industry created an economic boom. However, Socarrás's rule was plagued by corruption, a legacy of his predecessor, Ramón Grau San Martín. Because Socarrás was unwilling or unable to resolve the corruption crisis within the Cuban government and the rise in organised crime, over time, his supporters abandoned him, and ultimately Socarrás was adjudged as an ineffectual president. Meanwhile, during secret talks regarding the crisis, it was rumoured that the US had encouraged General Fulgencio Batista to launch a military intervention. Subsequently, three weeks before the Cuban general election on 10 March 1952, Carlos Prío Socarrás was deposed in a military coup, orchestrated by General Fulgencio Batista, who became the self-imposed president and military dictator of Cuba spanning 1952 - 1959.

Fulgencio Batista (born 1901- died 1973): Cuban President (1952-1959)

Batista's right wing-dictatorship had fraudulently acquired great wealth for himself and his associates. Nevertheless, his supporters agreed that he had governed Cuba quite effectively. Batista was credited with expanding the educational system, he funded and directed a wide variety of public works, and importantly, he achieved the sustained growth of the Cuban economy over several years. Nevertheless, under his rule corruption and criminal organisations had risen significantly, even though he had control over the security forces. Batista became infamous for overseeing a ruthless and repressive regime, he curtailed people's liberties, controlled the media, and ordered his secret service forces to apprehend, arrest, torture, and execute many thousands of dissidents. Despite this, Batista sustained significant support during his reign, meaning, Cuban society was very polarized. Meanwhile, those against his rule began to express their resentment by committing violent street riots and mass demonstrations. The war of attrition between the people's revolution and the dictatorship government, finally culminated with a concerted attack on Havana by the 26th of July Movement (a vanguard revolutionary organisation) which was led by Fidel Castro. Meanwhile, Batista was confronted with the grim impending doom of his regime, which was finally vanquished by Fidel Castro's rebel forces on 31 December 1958. After his downfall Batista quickly organized his escape and fled with his family to the Dominican Republic on 1 January 1959, from there it is believed he went into exile on the Portuguese island of Madeira, and then to Estoril near Lisbon.

Fidel Castro Ruz (born 1926- died 2016): Cuban Prime Minister & President (1959-2008)

Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (born 1926- died 2016) was a legendary, charismatic, Cuban revolutionary leader and politician. After his rebel forces overthrew the Batista regime at the end of 1958, Castro seized power on 1 January 1959, when he became Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 - 1979, and President of Cuba from 1979 until 2008. Historians have defined Fidel Castro as a Marxist-Leninist Cuban nationalist, who possessed extreme anti-American sentiments. After becoming Prime Minister Fidel Castro ordered the appropriation of US businesses and investments that were situated in Cuba, without offering compensation to the US and on 16 April 1961, Castro's rule began to convert Cuba into a one-party communist state. Cuban industries were nationalized and state socialist reforms were inaugurated throughout the nation. As a result of Castro's reforms, the Cuban government increased cooperation with the Soviet Union and Cuba's relations between the United States drastically deteriorated. The USA severed diplomatic relations with Cuba in January 1961, and in February 1962, the US imposed a crippling embargo on Cuba, which forced the Cuban government to increase their trading relations with the Soviet Union. Fidel Castro's new administration had attempted to create a Cuban economy that was self-reliant by increasing industrialization and economic diversification. However, those ambitious policies failed, and Cuban government was forced to resort back to its previous economic system. Consequently, Cuba became considerably more dependent upon Soviet economic aid, it began exporting about 80% of its entire sugar production to the Soviet Union.

The Cuban Missile Crisis (16 - 28 October 1962)

The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 was said to be the most dangerous confrontation that took place between the USA and the USSR during the Cold War era (1946-1991); it is also known as the October Crisis of 1962. The Cuban Missile crisis developed from a combination of events. In 1959, the US developed and deployed several medium-ranged, nuclear armed ground to air, Jupiter ballistic missiles in Italy and Turkey with the aim to counter the threat of long-range Soviet Union nuclear missile strikes against allied Europe and America. However, on 17 April 1961, the CIA spearheaded an invasion called the 'Bay of Pigs' (a description for a particular location in Cuba) launched from the southwestern coast of Cuba, the operation consisted of about 1,400, CIA trained Cuban exiles, who were tasked with a mission to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist government. But the mission proved to be a catastrophic failure, as it was convincingly defeated by Fidel Castro's forces over a two-day period spanning 17 - 19 April 1961. The victory was celebrated triumphantly across Cuba, but once the celebrations had ended, Castro feared a second American led invasion at a given moment in the future. This anxiety prompted Cuba's government to make a request to the Soviet Union to deploy nuclear missiles on Cuban soil with the aim to deter another American led invasion, and consequently, the request was granted by the Soviet Union.

In October 1962, a US high-altitude reconnaissance surveillance aircraft (U-2 spy plane) secretly photographed nuclear missile sites under construction by the Soviet Union on the island of Cuba. When the alarming news was reported to the US President, John F. Kennedy immediately called for an emergency meeting with the Executive Committee of the National Security Council, which was made up of 12 government officials including the President. And following intensive consultations, Kennedy responded forcefully to the Soviet threat by ordering the Soviets to dismantle and remove their military sites and missiles based in Cuba, and he directed a naval blockade around Cuba aiming to prevent the delivery of more Soviet military equipment and supplies to Cuba. The deployment of Soviet Union nuclear missiles just 90 miles from US shores, initiated an intense 13-day political and military deadlock between the Soviet Union and the US which spanned 16 October - 28 October 1962. On Monday 22 October 1962, Kennedy addressed the US nation to explain the crisis that faced America. Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes there were a frenzy of intense negotiations and brinkmanship at play by senior diplomats representing both nations. Millions of people around the world witnessed the disturbing drama as it unfolded on their television screens, whilst praying for a peaceful solution. Fortunately, the crisis was averted when the Soviets agreed to dismantle and remove all their nuclear weapons from Cuba in exchange for a US pledge never to invade Cuba, and the withdrawal of US nuclear-armed Jupiter missiles from Turkey. This agreement ended what has been recorded in modern history as probably the most defining international crisis that the world has ever witnessed.